In a reversal, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced he wants to postpone his state's Tuesday election. The Democrat called the state legislature into a special session on Saturday to take up legislation that would avoid in-person voting and create an all-mail election with a deadline of May 26 to return ballots.
Evers had previously called for a predominantly mail-in election, but not for the election to be postponed. Republicans rejected Evers' earlier push for ballots to be mailed to every registered voter.
"I worked with the legislators several weeks ago, in talking about this exact same thing ... They weren't interested, I believe they will be now," Evers said at a news conference Friday. "We are looking forward to having a great conversation with the legislature."
Evers hinted that he might go further if Republicans rebuff his plan at the 4 p.m. Saturday session.
“If they take no action, we’ll be looking at whatever action we can take," he said. “We will continue to find ways to make sure Wisconsinites are safe, and that’s the bottom line.”
In a statement Wednesday, Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said, "I continue to support holding the election on April 7th — our Republic must continue to function."
POLITICO reported on Thursday that Democrats were seething over Evers' handling of the primary amid the coronavirus pandemic. They said he failed to fully exercise his powers as governor, including by not calling a special session and not joining in state lawsuits attempting to delay the election. The governor's office this week did become engaged when the legal action moved to federal court.
A federal judge provided some relief on Thursday while refusing to move the primary. U.S. District Judge William Conley extended the deadline by one day to request absentee ballots and allowed voters six additional days after election day to return them.
But in his remarks, Conley castigated the state Legislature and Evers for not doing more earlier.
Evers' office as recently as Thursday stood firm on holding the election on Tuesday, while urging as many people as possible to vote by mail. That position was in conflict with most Wisconsin Democrats, including the state party.
It's unclear what the Republican-led Legislature will do on Saturday. When Evers convened a special session on another issue previously, Republicans gaveled in and out without taking any action.
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Wisconsin governor makes last-minute plea to delay Tuesday election - POLITICO
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