Number
220459
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. ZAMARRIPA, PEREZ, DIMITRIJEVIC, RAINEY, BORKOWSKI, BAUMAN, MURPHY, AND STAMPER
Title
Substitute resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee’s support for and confidence in Wisconsin’s system of nonpartisan elections.
Analysis
This resolution expresses the City’s support for and confidence in Wisconsin’s system of nonpartisan administration of elections led by the Wisconsin Elections Commission and administered by local election officials.
The resolution also calls on state lawmakers to cease all attempts to undermine, disrupt or revoke the Wisconsin Elections Commission’s authority over Wisconsin elections, as well as the authority of county and municipal clerks.
Body
Whereas, The survival of the nation’s democracy depends on free and fair elections, where all eligible voters have the right to make their voices heard; and
Whereas, That right is already enshrined in s. 12.09, Wis. Stats., which provides that "no person may personally or through an agent make use of or threaten to make use of force, violence, or restraint in order to induce or compel any person to vote or refrain from voting at an election”; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee believes that the City has been well-served by the current system of nonpartisan election administration governed by the Wisconsin Elections Commission, managed by municipal clerks and the City’s Election Commission, and administered by its friends and neighbors who serve as election inspectors and poll workers; and
Whereas, Over the past few years, bad actors in society have attempted to bully, threaten, and undermine nonpartisan election administrators, making it harder for election officials to do their jobs, which reduces faith in the electoral process and hurts the health of democracy; and
Whereas, Looking to the 2022 Fall General Election and beyond, the City reaffirms its conviction that these nonpartisan election officials and the Wisconsin Elections Commission are best equipped to preside over free and fair elections, and should do so without fear of threat and intimidation; and
Whereas, The City strongly opposes any future attempts to seize power over elections from municipal clerks and the Wisconsin Elections Commission and grant such power to any type of partisan entity; and
Whereas, As long as nonpartisan election administrators continue to administer elections with accessibility, fairness, equality, safety, and security in mind, the City is fully committed to standing behind them in the face of unfounded attacks; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council expresses its support for and confidence in Wisconsin’s system of nonpartisan administration of elections led by the Wisconsin Election Commission and administered by local election officials; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City of Milwaukee calls on state lawmakers to cease all attempts to undermine, disrupt, or revoke the Wisconsin Election Commission’s authority over Wisconsin elections, as well as the authority of county and municipal clerks; and, be it
Further Resolved; That the City supports its friends and neighbors who serve as poll workers and local election officials, including the City’s Election Commission staff and municipal clerks throughout Milwaukee County.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB177484-2
Teodros W. Medhin
9/8/2022