Lawmakers Reject Walker’s Election Commission Staffing Cuts

The state budget committee voted Tuesday to pay for more workers at the state Elections Commission, which oversees elections across the state.

Gov. Scott Walker proposed cutting about 19 percent of the commission’s staff, which amounts to six employees, in his 2017-19 budget.

Walker argued the commission could function without the positions, which had been federally funded until this budget.

The budget committee voted to restore five of those six positions.

Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, said the commission was “significantly understaffed” as it oversaw the 2016 election and presidential recount.

“We’re trying to make sure that we fulfill our commitment to have an Elections Commission that’s going to be assuring that we have legal and ethical elections and help our clerks to do their work as well,” Darling said.

Democrats argued all six of the positions should have been put back in the budget.

“For all the huffing and puffing about the integrity of our elections, this is one of the motions where if the integrity of your elections and the smooth administration of our elections is really the biggest priority, I think we should have a budget that reflects what the request was from the agency,” said Rep. Gordon Hintz, D-Oshkosh.

The positions will cost the state $304,100 per year.

Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, co-chair of the budget committee, said the commission can return to the committee later to ask for more workers if it really needs them.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated to include original reporting from WPR.