Disability advocates speak out about absentee voting laws after some voters turned away

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A group of disabled voters say they've experienced problems when someone else tries to return their absentee ballot, leading advocacy groups to speak out about federal laws that protect their ability to receive assistance.

Barbara Beckert, director of external advocacy of Disability Rights Wisconsin, said a handful of disabled voters have contacted their office recently saying some clerks are wrongly stating they can't have someone else return their absentee ballot.

"People are being disenfranchised and that is not acceptable," Beckert said.

Absentee ballots were sent to voters last month and early in-person voting began on Tuesday ahead of the April 4 election.

Last year, the state Supreme Court ruled absentee ballot drop boxes are illegal and voters can only return their absentee ballot by mail or in person at their local clerk's office.

In response to that ruling, disability advocates sued, arguing the federal Voting Rights Act allows voters with a disability to get help delivering their absentee ballot. A federal judge agreed, stating federal law applies to Wisconsin.

Still, some clerks are uneducated about this and not accepting ballots returned on the behalf of disabled voters, Beckert said.

The Wisconsin Election Commission said they contacted clerks back in September about the federal court ruling allowing disabled voters to receive assistance returning absentee ballots. A spokesman for WEC said they also continue to remind officials about these rules in training, webinars and other platforms.

To help limit confusion in the future, Beckert wants all polling locations to post information about disabled voters and their right to receive assistance, and to have these instructions included in all absentee ballot envelopes.

"We need to have consistent communication with voters," said Beckert. "This is not optional. Wisconsin is not exempt from federal law. We must ensure voters with disabilities have the right to have assistance with any aspect of voting."

The bipartisan election commission could send voters more instructions with their absentee ballot. However, in order to change laws about what's posted at polling sites, the GOP-controlled Legislature would have to act.

Additional training for election officials and posting more information on municipal websites could help too, Beckert said, referencing her concerns about a dozen websites that do not include absentee ballot return options for disabled voters.

Disabled voters who are experiencing barriers related to ballot return assistance, or any other voting concern, are advised to contact the Disability Rights Wisconsin Voter Hotline at 844-347-8683.