Wisconsin Judge Orders Removal of 209,000 From Voter Rolls

In Port Washington, Wisconsin, a judge ruled on Monday that the state’s election commission must promptly initiate the removal of up to 209,000 names from the voter rolls or face significant fines for non-compliance. Judge Paul Malloy stressed the urgency of the matter, stating that waiting for appeals courts or the state Supreme Court to intervene is not feasible. He expressed frustration that the commission had not yet begun the process of purging voters, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the court’s order.

The state Justice Department requested a stay on the order of contempt while they appeal the ruling, but Judge Malloy denied the request. He held the commission and the three dissenting members in contempt, with each dissenting member facing a $250 fine for every day of non-compliance. However, the commission as a whole will face $50 fines daily until the purge is carried out.

Despite appeals to halt the ruling, no action has been taken by the courts, according to Judge Malloy. The case has garnered significant attention, particularly because Wisconsin is a crucial battleground state won narrowly by President Donald Trump in 2016. Democrats argue that the purge would disproportionately affect their voters, while Republicans contend that it is necessary to ensure the accuracy of the voter rolls.

The lawsuit alleges that the state elections commission violated the law by failing to remove voters who did not respond to a mailing indicating they may have moved. The commission had intended to postpone the removal until after the November 2020 presidential election due to inaccuracies in previous data identifying potentially relocated voters. Even if a voter’s registration is deactivated, they can re-register later or on Election Day with the required documentation.

The affected voters are predominantly from Democratic-leaning areas, raising concerns among Democrats about potential voter suppression. Meanwhile, Republicans argue that removing ineligible voters would maintain the integrity of the voter rolls.

Outside the courthouse, protesters gathered to rally against the purging of voter names, expressing concerns about its impact on voters of color and the potential for confusion leading to decreased voter turnout.