'Their Goal All Along': Milwaukee Election Board Sued By RNC Over Poll Watchers

Source: Huff Post

Nov 4, 2024, 06:49 PM EST


The Republican National Committee on Monday sued the city of Milwaukee, alleging that its election commission unfairly limited poll watchers at three early voting locations in Wisconsin. The RNC lawsuit claims the commission intends to limit poll watchers on Election Day, but the commission denied that anyone was “arbitrarily” limited from observing polls.

“The Milwaukee Election Commission refutes the claims made by the RNC. Despite the [commission] maintaining open communications with the RNC, including meeting as recently as last night, it seems that filing a lawsuit was their goal all along,” Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Paulina Gutierrez said Monday in a statement.

Observers “may be subject to reasonable limitations,” Gutierrez said, but “at no point was the Republican Party denied the presence of observing during the in-person absentee voting period, nor will they be denied that presence on Election Day.”

Poll workers are different from watchers — workers administer elections, while watchers merely observe and can raise challenges — but an abundance of unruly watchers swarming already inundated workers is a recipe for delay and disruption. In Wisconsin, observers must follow rules set by the commission.

Read more: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/milwaukee-election-board-sued-by-rnc-over-poll-watchers_n_672946dee4b0266a3458741d