City of Milwaukee - File #: 180827

• File #: 180827
• Version: 0
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Passed
• File created: 9/5/2018
• In control: COMMON COUNCIL
• Final action: 12/18/2018
• Title: Resolution directing the Election Commission to implement a program to train and certify all City employees, including Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee employees, who interact with the public to register residents of the City of Milwaukee to vote.
• Sponsors: ALD. RAINEY, ALD. STAMPER, ALD. COGGS, ALD. HAMILTON, ALD. LEWIS, ALD. PEREZ
• Indexes: ELECTION COMMISSION, GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, VOTER REGISTRATION

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
12/28/2018	0	MAYOR	SIGNED
12/18/2018	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ADOPTED; Minutes note: Ald. Stamper, Coggs, Hamilton, Lewis, and Perez were added as cosponsors. There were no objections.	Pass	15:0
12/10/2018	0	JUDICIARY & LEGISLATION COMMITTEE	RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION; Minutes note: Appearing: Ald. Khalif Rainey, 7th Ald. Dist. Neil Albrecht, Election Commission	Pass	5:0
10/8/2018	0	JUDICIARY & LEGISLATION COMMITTEE	HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR	Pass	5:0
10/1/2018	0	JUDICIARY & LEGISLATION COMMITTEE	HEARING NOTICES SENT
9/5/2018	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO

Number

180827 

Version

ORIGINAL

Reference

Sponsor

ALD. RAINEY, STAMPER, COGGS, HAMILTON, LEWIS, PEREZ

Title

Resolution directing the Election Commission to implement a program to train and certify all City employees, including Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee employees, who interact with the public to register residents of the City of Milwaukee to vote.

Analysis

This resolution directs the Election Commission to implement a program to train and certify all City employees, including Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee employees, who interact with the public to register residents of the City of Milwaukee to vote. 

Body

Whereas, The greatest barrier to free, fair, accessible, and open elections is the nation’s patchwork voter registration system; and

Whereas, Voter registration laws in the United States are historically rooted in efforts to obstruct voter participation by minorities, women, poor people, and foreign-born citizens; and

Whereas, Some states have adopted voter modernization laws to simplify access and increase voter participation in an effort to overcome that history and eliminate obstacles to accessing this fundamental right; and

Whereas, Wisconsin’s current legislators and the Governor enacted a law prohibiting the successful practice of manual voter registration drives within the community by Special Registration Deputies; and

Whereas, Manual voter registration is a crucial part of the electoral process in Wisconsin; and

Whereas, Proof of residence is required when registering to vote in Wisconsin; and

Whereas, Only documents specifically allowed by State Statute may be used as proof of residence; and

Whereas, Government documents are accepted forms of proof of residence; and

Whereas, Wisconsin’s voter registration laws demonstrate movement backward to reflect historical voter registration suppression, which is not reflective of Wisconsin’s civic values; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Election Commission is directed to implement a program to train and certify all City employees, including Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee employees, who interact with the public to register residents of the City of Milwaukee to vote; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Election Commission shall offer voter registration at all City offices in accordance with State Statute; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Election Commission shall provide voter registration training and voter registration forms to all City offices; and, be it

Further Resolved, That each time a resident visits a City office and presents government documents that are accepted forms of proof of residence, City staff shall present the resident with the opportunity to register to vote.

Requestor

Drafter

LRB172088-1

Tea Norfolk

9/5/2018