Another Absentee Ballot Rule Is Struck Down

A contentious rule that allowed election clerks to correct information on absentee ballot envelopes was struck down on Wednesday at a meeting of the legislature’s joint rules committee.

Sun Prairie Democrat Gary Hebl argued with Republican Chairman Steve Nass over the future of elections in the state.

“So you’re going to create a ton of litigation that we should be avoided.” NASS: “I disagree.” HEBL: “You think it’s okay to create a ton of litigation?” NASS: “I don’t think there will be a ton of litigation. That’s pure speculation.”

Republicans say there’s no language in the state legislature that allows for correcting ballot information, and the Wisconsin Elections Commission had no right to issue the guidance. That rule went into place before the 2016 presidential election.