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RNC Takes Legal Action Against Milwaukee Election Commission Over Poll Watcher Restrictions
On Monday, the Republican National Committee (RNC) announced that it has initiated a lawsuit against the Milwaukee Election Commission. This legal action stems from a recent city proposal aimed at limiting the number of poll watchers permitted on Election Day in specific precincts.
The RNC contends that this newly introduced plan could restrict poll observers to only one representative from each major party in certain areas, which they argue is a violation of state law.
The lawsuit claims, “The Milwaukee Elections Commission has been unjustly restricting and preventing public members from observing all facets of the voting process at polling places within Milwaukee.” It cites Wis. Stat. § 7.41, which mandates that ”observation areas shall be so positioned” to allow any election observer to easily monitor all aspects of voting.
“Voters in Wisconsin have the right to see poll watchers from both parties present while votes are cast and counted on Election Day,” stated RNC Chairman Michael Whatley alongside Co-Chair Lara Trump in a joint statement. “We have mobilized and trained thousands of volunteers across Wisconsin; we will not yield to misguided officials who aim to undermine transparency in poll watching. This lawsuit will ensure that officials in Milwaukee uphold robust access for Republican poll watchers.”
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The RNC highlighted in their press release that as of now, Milwaukee has not disclosed which precincts will impose restrictions on poll watchers; however, the complaint points out specific locations where “the number of allowed observers was arbitrarily limited during early voting.” One such site mentioned is Serb Hall, which can accommodate up to 2,000 patrons but reportedly allowed only two poll watchers.
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The lawsuit emphasizes unprecedented interest levels surrounding this election cycle within American history and notes how these restrictions impact not just political parties but also external organizations interested in monitoring elections.
“Numerous large nonprofit organizations focused on suffrage issues—such as ACLU and League of Women Voters—have expressed their desire to observe electoral processes within Milwaukee,” continues the complaint, adding that social media reflects an extraordinary level of enthusiasm among independent groups and citizens wanting to witness the voting process firsthand.
In response, the commission disputed these allegations and denied any claims regarding arbitrary limitations on poll watchers.
“The City of Milwaukee prioritizes maximum transparency during elections by accommodating all observers at polling sites,” stated a representative from the commission when speaking with Fox News Digital.
“The Milwaukee Election Commission (MEC) rejects RNC’s assertions,” they added further clarification about ongoing communications with RNC representatives leading up to this legal action: “Despite our efforts for open dialogue—including meetings as recently as last night—it appears filing this lawsuit was their intention all along.” They clarified that while there may be reasonable limitations imposed by chief inspectors under Wisconsin law, no observer representing Republicans was denied access during early absentee voting or will be barred on Election Day itself.
This legal challenge seeks both a restraining order against the commission prohibiting them from limiting or restricting observers representing either party or other public members during polling activities and an official declaration affirming violations against state law by said commission.
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