Republicans’ first push of the new legislative session focuses on a voter suppression effort to manipulate the outcome of future elections and gain an advantage in April’s state supreme court race
WASHINGTON — Republicans in the Wisconsin Assembly passed a ballot proposal this week that would lock voter ID requirements into the state constitution if approved by voters in April. Republicans are rushing to place this amendment, which is already mandated by state law, on April’s ballot alongside the majority-making state supreme court race. The Republican push stems not only from a desire to gin up voter turnout in their favor in April but also to suppress the vote in future elections.
Wisconsin Republicans have long-wielded their majorities to undemocratically consolidate their power, including in 2018 when Republicans used their supermajority to pass a number of laws curbing Gov. Evers’ powers back.
In the 2024 elections, Democrats made significant gains in both Wisconsin chambers after gerrymandered GOP maps were thrown out, gaining 14 seats and putting a potential Democratic trifecta within reach in 2026. This nefarious voter suppression push demonstrates how Republicans legislate in toxic ways that hurt Wisconsin – electing Democratic majorities is the only path to ensure voting rights are protected and advanced.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Interim Communications Director Sam Paisley issued the following statement:
“The Wisconsin GOP knows their days in the majority are numbered, which is why they’re resorting to a desperate power grab through this amendment. Time and time again, Republicans have rushed harmful policies that hurt Wisconsinites just to cling to power. Luckily, Democrats are poised to compete for majorities in both chambers this cycle – we must put an end to Republicans’ tired playbook of voter suppression to swing elections in their favor.”
The DLCC is the official arm of the Democratic Party with the sole mission of building Democratic power in the states and setting the national agenda at the state level. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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