In this special Election Day edition, our host Aaron Perry interviewed Stacy Harbaugh, Communications Director of the Wisconsin chapter of the ACLU on Tuesday November 6. She is here to speak about voting rights and election issues. The Hotline, 866-Our-Vote, is available all day today for those who have questions regarding voting or wish to report any problems with the polls. Non-partisan attorneys who are specialists in Wisconsin laws will be on the hotline to answer the questions.
While Election Day registration is still possible, there have been other changes made to Wisconsin voting laws, Stacy explains. The corroboration ban will no longer allow for another to vouch for one’s residency should they lack the acceptable documents. Also, the length of time required to establish residency has been extended from 10 days to 28 days. “But fortunately photo ID is not required for registered voters, that’s another big deal,” Stacy says.
Stacy explains that the coalition advocates for people’s voting rights, and provides one such example, “today, if you don’t have a printed version of your bank statement to prove your residency, you can take your smart phone into the polls, and you can sit down and work with poll workers and show them your bank statement online…and that was something we pushed for, and fortunately the government accountability board, which administers our elections, saw the wisdom in that, and they made that a rule and now you can do that in Wisconsin.” Aaron asks Stacy to describe trends that are being seen. Rules and restrictions surrounding poll watchers, Stay explains, is one situation that will be closely watched today. She also explains that convicted felons can not vote until they are “off paper.”
Stacy said to expect lines today at the voting stations, but to remain patient. She stresses that even though the polls close at 8 PM, people can still vote as long as they were in line before that, “Even if its 8 o’clock, if you are in line, you can still vote. Every polling place has workers that have been instructed to send someone to be the marker to see who is at the end of the line. Stay in line, stick with it.”
Hotline: 866-Our-Vote (866-687-8683)
Facebook: Wisconsin Election Protection.
Twitter: @EPWisco
For more information about voting rights materials, visit ACLU Wisconsin
Listen to the entire interview here: