I am vetoing Assembly Bill 494 in its entirety.
This bill would restrict the definition of an indefinitely confined voter, create new and separate procedures for indefinitely confined electors to vote, and remove certain people from having an indefinitely confined voter status.
I am vetoing this bill in its entirety because I object to the manner by which it targets certain voters and ongoing efforts by the Legislature to make it more difficult for eligible voters to vote.
Indefinitely confined voter status was developed to help voters with disabilities and who are aging and older or sick continue to exercise their constitutional right to vote. This bill substantially restricts that important status by narrowing the definition such that a voter can only be considered indefinitely confined if they cannot travel independently without “significant burden” due to frailty, physical illness, or a disability that is expected to last longer than one year. This bill provides no legal or medical justification for these changes, no definition for how an individual would interpret what a “significant burden” is or whether they have one, and no explanation for the arbitrary determination that a 13-month-long disability should qualify for indefinitely confined status while an 11-month-long disability should not, among other provisions that prompt more questions than certainty. Further, coupled with the bill’s definitional restrictions are additional barriers for voters with indefinitely confined status who want to cast their ballot, requiring these individuals to fill out a new, separate form from the standard absentee voting form and arbitrary provisions to remove some voters’ indefinitely confined status based on nothing more than when they registered.
The right to vote is a fundamental core value of our democracy. We should be making it easier, not harder, for eligible Wisconsinites to cast their ballot.
Respectfully submitted,
TONY EVERS
Governor
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Communications
December 6, 2023
Edward A. Blazel
Assembly Chief Clerk
17 West Main Street, Suite 401
Madison, WI 53703
Dear Chief Clerk Blazel:
hist180643Please add my name as a coauthor of Assembly Bill 673, relating to grants for firearm buyback programs and making an appropriation. Please add my name as a coauthor of Assembly Bill 677, relating to prohibition against undetectable firearms, possessing a frame or receiver of a firearm without a serial number, and providing a penalty.
hist180641Please add my name as a coauthor of Assembly Bill 686, relating to possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under the age of 18. Please add my name as a coauthor of Assembly Bill 692, relating to voluntary prohibitions on purchasing a handgun.
hist180640Please add my name as a coauthor of Assembly Bill 718, relating to waiting period for purchase of handguns. Sincerely,
GRETA NEUBAUER
State Representative
66th Assembly District
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December 6, 2023
Edward A. Blazel
Assembly Chief Clerk
17 West Main Street, Suite 401
Madison, WI 53703
Dear Chief Clerk Blazel:
hist180509Please add my name as a coauthor and cosponsor of Assembly Bill 341 and Senate Bill 333, relating to sexual misconduct against a pupil by a school staff member or volunteer and providing a penalty. Sincerely,
JOEL KITCHENS
State Representative
1st Assembly District
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December 6, 2023
Edward A. Blazel
Assembly Chief Clerk
17 West Main Street, Suite 401
Madison, WI 53703
Dear Chief Clerk Blazel:
hist180636Please add my name as a coauthor of Assembly Bill 633, relating to hunting with an airgun, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. Sincerely,
TY BODDEN
State Representative
59th Assembly District
