MADISON, Wis. — On Thursday, the Wisconsin Elections Commission emphasized voting absentee in Wisconsin remains a "secure and reliable" way to vote.
What You Need To Know
- Wisconsin Elections Commission emphasized voting absentee in Wisconsin remains a "secure and reliable" way to vote
- WEC said any unlawful election activity would be taken seriously
- The Commission said it will work with law enforcment and municipal clerks on any suspicious requests
- Voters who requested an absentee be sent to an address that's different than their voter address will be sent a postcard to confirm whether it's their request
WEC addressed the matter following several fraudulent absentee ballot requests made last week, including one by Wisconsinite Harry Wait, who used State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos' name. Requests such as this one were intended to show perceived flaws with the MyVote website, according to WEC.
The Commission announced it has since taken more steps to prevent and identify any fraudulent absentee ballot request efforts.
“Voters should rest assured that voting absentee remains a secure way to vote in the upcoming August 9 Partisan Primary,” said WEC Administrator Meagan Wolfe. “However, to provide additional reassurance, election officials at the state and local level continue to closely monitor for any indication of potentially unauthorized absentee ballot requests, no matter how rare those incidents may be.”
WEC said any unlawful election activity would be taken seriously. WEC said its staff will continue to work with law enforcement and municipal clerks on unauthorized or suspicious ballot requests. Local clerks have the ability to cancel requests or reach out to WEC and law enforcement should they come across something suspicious on their own.
Additional system monitoring by WEC will pay strict attention to requests originating from the same device and multiple requests originating from the same source.
Voters whose absentee ballot is being sent to a different mailing address from their voter address will also receive a postcard from WEC. The postcard will notify voters of the request and give them the option to notify officials if they did not make the request.
On MyVote’s final certification statement, voters will see a warning, added by WEC, about the consequences of impersonating a registered elector.
The Commission said it encourages all Wisconsin voters to help keep the voting process secure by checking their own voter status at MyVote.wi.gov. Voting in-person absentee will be recorded on the site as voting absentee.
WEC said any formal complaints of false procurement of absentee ballots are being expedited ahead of the Aug. 9 primary election.