Riley Vetterkind, @email
MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin Elections Commission Administrator Meagan Wolfe issued the following statement following the Joint Finance Committee’s vote to remove WEC’s major biennial budget decision items from consideration:
“Following today’s Joint Finance Committee vote, I hope the Committee will consider future proposals to increase oversight, transparency, and accountability in our elections. The proposal to create an Elections Inspector General Program is exactly what Wisconsin needs to address voters’ concerns directly and reclaim confidence in our elections.
“The additional resources in the proposal would allow the Commission to increase the number of polling place accessibility audits, and to respond faster to public concerns, records requests, and formal complaints alleging violations of election law. These investments are critical to boosting resiliency in our election infrastructure ahead of next year’s General Election.”
The WEC’s budget request was unanimously approved by the six-member, bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission. The Commissioners are appointees of Republican and Democratic legislative leadership. More information about the proposed Office of the Inspector General and the WEC’s biennial budget request can be found in the attached documents.