STEVENS POINT – Rep. Katrina Shankland (D- Stevens Point) released the following statement today in support of Governor Tony Evers’ call to send every registered voter in Wisconsin an absentee ballot for the April 7 election:
“Government’s number one job should always be protecting the public health and safety of our community members. Throughout this public health crisis, I have heard from local leaders, poll workers, community members, and clerks who are rightfully concerned about the upcoming election jeopardizing the public health. They have overwhelmingly expressed the need to make the April 7 election as safe as possible for folks to exercise their right to vote. While I believe for the health and safety of our communities, we should move to a mail-only election, I appreciate this step and will vociferously advocate for it in the legislature.
“It is crucial to the health of our democracy that we provide equal access to the ballot box, and it is crucial to the health of our community members that we limit in-person interactions. That’s why I support this call to send every registered voter an absentee ballot and extend the deadline for clerks to count those votes. I appreciate the service of our clerks, especially in this stressful time.
“I urge my colleagues to come together with all due urgency and work with those responsible for running our elections to find solutions and ensure that all Wisconsin voters are able to cast their ballots, without facing the impossible choice of whether to risk their health in the process.“
