April 2020 Special Session
4:00 P.M. SATURDAY, April 4, 2020
The Senate met.
The Senate was called to order by Chief Clerk Renk, pursuant to Senate Rule 5 (4)(b). Pursuant to Senate Rule 17 (6), the Chief Clerk made the following entries under the above date. _____________
Petition and Communications
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
EXECUTIVE ORDER #73
Relating to a Special Session of the Legislature to Provide for an All-Mail Spring Election and Special Election for the 7th Congressional District during the COVID-19 Pandemic
WHEREAS, in December 2019, a novel strain of the coronavirus was detected, now named COVID-19, and it has spread throughout the world, including every state in the United States;
WHEREAS, on January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern;
WHEREAS, on March 12, 2020, in Executive Order #72, I declared a public health emergency to direct all resources needed to respond to and contain COVID-19 in Wisconsin;
WHEREAS, in March 13, 2020, President Donald trump proclaimed a National Emergency concerning COVID-19;
WHEREAS, on March 22, 2020, the Wisconsin Supreme Court delayed all jury trials until May 22, 2020, due to the health risks posed by COVID-19 to the public;
WHEREAS, as of April 2, 2020, 1,730 Wisconsinites have tested positive for COVID-19, 461 Wisconsinites have been hospitalized due to COVID-19 and 31 Wisconsinites have passed away as a result of COVID-19, 213,144 individuals in the United States have tested positive for COVID-19, and 4,513 have passed away as a result of COVID-19, and worldwide, more than 1,000,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19, and more than 55,000 people have passed away as a result of COVID-19;
WHEREAS, Section 5.02 (21) of the Wisconsin Statutes mandates that the spring election be held on the first Tuesday in April to elect judicial, educational and municipal officers, nonpartisan county officers and sewerage commissioners, and to express preferences for the person to be the presidential candidate for each part in a year in which electors for president and vice president are to be elected. The State of Wisconsin’s Spring 2020 election is schedule for April 7, 2020;