DOJ Threatens Legal Action Against Wisconsin Towns

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is threatening legal action against two Wisconsin towns, Thornapple and Lawrence, for their decision to stop using electronic voting machines and rely solely on hand-counted ballots. Attorney General Merrick Garland's warning follows a complaint from Disability Rights Wisconsin, which alleges that the towns have violated the Help America Vote Act by failing to provide accessible voting options for individuals with disabilities. The DOJ claims that this practice disenfranchises voters with disabilities, as they require electronic voting systems to ensure equal access and privacy. While the towns argue that hand-counting offers a more secure and transparent alternative, concerns about compliance with federal law remain paramount. The DOJ has suggested that the towns negotiate a consent decree to avoid litigation. Disability Rights Wisconsin is pushing for a mandate that requires the towns to offer accessible voting machines to ensure all residents can participate in elections.