Milwaukee Officials Decry Passage Of Early Voting Bill In Senate

Milwaukee politicians continue to pummel state Senate Republicans for approving a bill that would curtail early voting.

The measure that passed on Wednesday would halt in-person absentee voting on weekends, and limit early voting hours during the two weeks before an election.

Milwaukee alderman Willie Wade, who represents the district with the highest percentage of African-Americans in the city, said the early voting bill is a sign that Republicans think they can’t legitimately compete for black support.

“I have more confidence in you than you have in yourself,” said Wade, in a challenge to Republicans. “I think you can compete, and I think if you push more policies that are more inclusive to the people I represent, then you wouldn’t have to waste time on issues like suppressing the vote.”

Milwaukee Common Council President Michael Murphy said if the early voting bill reaches Gov. Scott Walker’s desk, Walker should veto it. Murphy said that if Walker is considering a bid for the White House, he won’t want a law on his record that Murphy says could limit minority turnout.