The Sconi

The Wisconsin Senate Elections Committee failed to pass an election security bill last month after its chairwoman, Republican Sen. Kathy Bernier of Lake Hallie, joined Democrats in voting against it.

Sen. Duey Stroebel introduced Wisconsin Senate Bill 204 (WSB 204) as part of a series of election integrity bills sent to the Committee on Elections, Election Process Reform and Ethics. However, WSB 204 was rejected by a 3-2 margin on May 27.

“We have to take into consideration unintended consequences,” Bernier said after the state Senate's election committee advanced two other Republican election bills in early May. “I don’t care that the governor’s going to veto the bills. I’m going to make sure that if I vote yes on something, it’s something I can defend and support, whether this year, next year or under the next governor, whoever that will be."

Although Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is expected to veto the proposals, Bernier also noted that she would not pass legislation based solely on whether or not it would be vetoed.

"I am not going to pass through bad legislation thinking it’s going to get vetoed, and hoping that it does get vetoed,” Bernier said.

WSB 204 would prohibit the Elections Commission from sending unsolicited ballots to registered voters and instead requiring a written request from the voter. Additionally, the Elections Commission would be required to issue a form and instructions for absentee ballot applications, which are not currently provided by state law.

Stroebel maintained his support for the election bills, noting that the proposals are "good public policy" and he expected them to pass the Senate with strong support.

“If any of my colleagues have substantive concerns that they have not shared with me I welcome their input,” Stroebel said in a statement. “Numerous states have already taken action to restore faith in elections. There is no excuse for a delay in Wisconsin.”

According to a report by Honest Elections, when votes are automatically delivered to every registered voter, up to 10% of ballots are distributed to the wrong address, deceased people or ineligible voters.

The Honest Elections Project also found that 66% of voters support increased absentee voting safeguards, including a voter ID requirement, something S.1. currently prohibits.

Additionally, a News21 analysis found that voter fraud, absentee ballot fraud and voter registration fraud are more common than any other category, with 491 cases of absentee ballot fraud and 400 cases of voter registration fraud found during a public record search.