AFPI demands WI cities stop alleged gerrymandering through early voting polls

The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) is demanding the Wisconsin cities of Madison, La Crosse, and Oshkosh end their alleged gerrymandering of early voting poll locations that benefit Democrats ahead of the April elections.

AFPI’s Center for Litigation sent letters to the clerks of each of the three cities on Wednesday, explaining that some early voting polls for the state’s April 1st elections are placed in high-turnout locations for Democrats, which is contrary to state law.

“The America First Policy Institute has reviewed historical voting data and concluded that the City of Madison’s placement of designated alternate absentee balloting sites disproportionately benefits Democrat candidates,” the letter to the Madison city clerk reads.

“Only 24 of Madison’s many voting wards are equipped with these alternate absentee balloting locations. These wards have consistently shown a higher representation of Democrat voters compared to the citywide average.”

The letters cite the law regarding early voting poll locations, which reads, “The designated site shall be located as near as practicable to the office of the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners and no site may be designated that affords an advantage to any political party.”

Nicholas Wanic, an attorney of AFPI’s Center for Litigation, explained that the early voting sites do not comply with state law.

“This practice violates a Wisconsin law prohibiting elections officials from holding early voting in locations which afford an advantage to any political party,” Wanic said in a statement on Thursday.

“Wisconsin law is clear: Early-voting locations cannot be used to cherry-pick votes for a particular party,” he added. “The data shows officials in these cities have disregarded the law and are engaged in poll-location gerrymandering that gives a significant advantage to Democrat candidates.”

A letter was also sent to the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC), asking the WEC administrator to ensure the law is followed regarding the early voting sites.

“The Commission has the statutory responsibility to administer Wisconsin’s elections laws and is required by law to investigate violations of such laws,” according to the letter. “Therefore, the Commission must work to ensure that alternate absentee balloting provides fair and equal access to all voters during the upcoming election on April 1.”

The letter to WEC explains that there are just 24 voting wards in Madison for early voting. During the November election, 10 of the voting wards were in high-turnout locations for Democrats, compared to just five in more Republican areas.

The letter notes that 10 of the early voting sites in Madison “are on or adjacent to college campuses. This strategic placement provides a distinct electoral 'advantage’ to the Democratic Party, a practice that is inconsistent with the impartiality required under Wisconsin law.”

“The Wisconsin Elections Commission has a legal and ethical obligation to administer fair elections,” Wanic said. “If the Commission fails to act, it will be complicit in undermining election integrity and the trust of Wisconsin voters.”

The April 1 elections include a race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which is expected to have a significant impact on election integrity as a liberal justice is retiring, opening up a seat that could potentially flip the current liberal majority towards conservatives.