Wisconsin Coronavirus: Washington Co. to intervene in federal lawsuit filed by Green Bay over election

THURSDAY 3/26/2020 1:30 p.m.

WASHINGTON CO., Wis. (WFRV) – Washington County officials have announced they will proceed to intervene in a federal lawsuit brought by the City of Green Bay to delay the upcoming April 7 election and move to a mail-only ballot.

Members of the Washington County executive committee unanimously approved intervening in the lawsuit and will now join the Wisconsin Counties Association in opposing the city of Green Bay’s position.

“We need to protect the sanctity of the election,” said County Board Chairman Don Kriefall. “Elections are the basis of our republic and we need to ensure we have continuity in our government. Should this election be delayed, the statutes provide that our entire board would be vacant. We need to ensure continuity of government and operations. The rules of the game were established by the legislature. We have been working with our municipal clerks by sending county staff to assist and sourcing envelopes and other supplies to ensure the election moves forward. Local governments have an obligation to run these elections.”

Related: Appleton, Green Bay, Neenah mayors hoping for alternative voting method ahead of April 7 election

In Washington County, the county executive position is on the upcoming ballot. The county says that, as of Thursday morning, 23,029 county residents, or 27% of registered voters, had requested ballots.

Original Story: Frustration over refusal to delay election spurs lawsuit

WEDNESDAY 3/25/2020 12:19 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Local officials’ frustration with Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ refusal to order any changes to the upcoming presidential primary to protect people from the coronavirus is boiling over.

The city of Green Bay filed a federal lawsuit seeking to cancel in-person voting and give the city until June 2 to count absentee ballots.

River Falls officials are questioning how they can run the election when Evers has issued a stay-at-home order.

They issued a statement noting that 20 poll workers have already said they won’t help on Election Day.

The election features a Supreme Court race and hundreds of local races, in addition to the presidential primary.