Wisconsin Elections Commission Stands by Recommendation That Voting Deputies Stay Out of Nursing Homes Due to Coronavirus
Friday, September 11th, 2020 -- 8:04 AM
(AP) -The Wisconsin Elections Commission shouldn’t allow special voting deputies to enter nursing homes to help residents cast absentee ballots in November because the risk they could spread COVID-19 through the facilities is still too great, the commission’s top administrator warned Thursday.State law allows local clerks to appoint deputies to enter nursing homes and help residents fill out absentee ballots. But the elderly appear to be the most susceptible to COVID-19. The elections commission in March banned deputies from entering facilities for the state’s April presidential primary, following state and federal guidance that only essential workers be allowed to enter such facilities. The commission reaffirmed in June that no deputies should enter nursing homes ahead of the state’s Aug. 11 primary and Nov. 3 general election. Republican Commissioner Robert Spindell, however, asked staff during a Sept. 1 meeting to reconsider that stance. The commission was set to discuss the prospect during a meeting Thursday afternoon.
Commission Administrator Meagan Wolfe wrote a memo to the commission ahead of the meeting warning against allowing deputies back in. She said commission staff consulted with state health officials and state nursing home regulators, who ticked a host of concerns. COVID-19 infection rates are higher across the state than they were in April by hundreds of cases per day, outside visitors still aren’t allowed at nursing homes, voting deputies likely wouldn’t be allowed room visits and deputies that visit multiple facilities.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.