Manitowoc’s representative in Madison is looking to reintroduce a bill after proposed rule changes from the Wisconsin Election Commission (WEC).
25th District Representative Paul Tittl explained that he is in favor of some of the rule changes that the commission wants to make regarding election observers and what they can do when people come to vote.
However, Tittl says if an observer is obstructed from what they are doing, there are no repercussions.
The Manitowoc Republican says there have been some instances of obstruction.
“We had an attorney testify that he was kept over 50 feet away from observing an election in the Milwaukee area,” he explained. “And the current law says three to eight feet. And, my bill says, if you obstruct in that, you could be punished by up to 90 days in jail or a $1,000 fine.”
During a meeting of the Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections, Tittl says he learned that the WEC can’t take penalties like he’s looking for, hence why he wants to reintroduce the bill.
A previous form was made through the Wisconsin Legislature but was vetoed by Governor Evers.
Other rule changes Tittl liked included that all parties would be on the hook if they caused an election observer problem.
“I just wanted to see that there would be some type of repercussions for the bad actors that are out there,” he stated. “And I know the majority of our people that are running our elections, especially our elections locally, are running them with integrity, and diligence, and they’re not the problem.”
Tittl says the rules the Wisconsin Election Commission is proposing will go into effect for elections unless the Legislature objects.
If there are objections, they would be sent to the Joint Committee of Administrative Rules.
