Wisconsin elections should be run by the citizens of Wisconsin, not bureaucrats in Washington who have no stake in our communities.
Tom Barrett, Scott Klug, Mike Tate and JB Van Hollen
| Special to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Trump calls on Republicans to ‘nationalize’ elections on podcast
In an appearance on The Dan Bongino Show, President Donald Trump called on Republicans to seize control of elections from the states.
Finding an issue on which Republicans and Democrats agree is a rare feat in recent years. But we saw a moment of unity recently when President Trump threatened the sovereignty of Wisconsin and other states by suggesting the federal government should take control of our elections.
The Constitution reserves the right to administer elections to the states, rather than delegate that power to the federal government in the 10th amendment. Wisconsin elections should be run by the citizens of Wisconsin, not bureaucrats in Washington who have no stake in our communities, our values or what makes our state unique. We are no stranger to close elections, over multiple election cycles we have repeatedly elected both Republicans and Democrats statewide. And Wisconsin has voted for the eventual presidential winner in every election since 2008.
Simply put, Wisconsin is a bellwether for a nation that has become increasingly divided. Why? Because Wisconsinites value independence. We value neighbors who dedicate their time to public service. And we vote for what we believe is best for our state and our country, not simply to uphold a party line.
Letters: SAVE Act seeks to disenfranchise millions from voting |
Our election system reflects that same streak of independence.
Wisconsin elections are safe and decentralized
Wisconsin’s elections are among the most decentralized in the nation. With thousands of units of local government, more than 1,800 municipal clerks and 72 counties, our state has deliberately built a system that keeps election administration close to home. This ensures local leaders, your neighbors and members of your community, are the ones making sure your ballot is counted, protected and secure.
That isn’t a weakness. It is a strength.
That commitment to local control and fair play is why we serve on the Wisconsin board of the Democracy Defense Project. DDP is a bipartisan organization dedicated to defending free and fair elections and restoring trust in democracy. Our board doesn’t always agree on policy, but we agree on the fundamental rules of the game. We believe in calling balls and strikes, standing up for election integrity and defending the local officials who administer our elections.
Now imagine the chaos if Washington attempted to assume that responsibility, not just in Wisconsin, but across multiple states with completely different election laws.
The federal government would suddenly be responsible for managing a patchwork of rules: voter registration requirements, ballot deadlines, absentee voting procedures, postmark standards, voting equipment protocols and security regulations, all of which vary from state to state. Instead of elections being administered by experienced local officials who understand their communities, decisions would be made by distant federal agencies unfamiliar with the realities on the ground.
Every law governing Wisconsin elections was passed by a Wisconsin legislature, signed by a Wisconsin governor and implemented by Wisconsin residents. This is the system Wisconsinites have chosen over our state’s 178-year history. It has served us well, and we will continue to improve it ourselves, not by having our process dictated by outsiders.
Opinion: It’s time MPS stops funding buildings instead of children
Any attempt to “nationalize” elections is not only unconstitutional, it is an insult to the millions of Americans who dedicate their time to ensuring elections are run fairly and securely.
In Wisconsin, elections are administered by hardworking clerks and election officials who take their responsibilities seriously, regardless of party. These public servants deserve our respect, not political attacks or reckless threats that undermine their work.
Before any candidate or elected leader casts doubt on Wisconsin’s election process, we challenge them to learn how it actually operates. Tour an election facility. Speak with clerks and administrators. Observe the safeguards in place. Do the work required to understand what makes our system function.
Elections resilient against outside interference
Wisconsin’s elections are free, fair and secure and they are resilient against outside interference. But we cannot be complacent. The only way to ensure our elections remain secure is to build on our successes and rebuild the trust that has been damaged by years of misinformation and political cynicism.
Republican or Democrat, it is essential our leaders tell the truth about our elections. Wisconsin voters deserve confidence in the system and Wisconsin deserves the right to run its own elections, as we always have.
Tom Barrett, a Democrat, is a former mayor and Congressman from Milwaukee. Scott Klug, a Republican, is a former Congressman from Madison. Mike Tate is the former chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. JB Van Hollen, a Republican, is the former Wisconsin Attorney General. All four serve on the Wisconsin board of the The Democracy Defense Project.
