GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — The mayors of Green Bay, Appleton and Neenah are calling on the state to delay the April 7th elections and conduct an entirely mail-in vote.
But Governor Tony Evers says that isn’t likely to happen–at least for now.
Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich, Appleton Mayor Tim Hanna, and Neenah Mayor Dean Crawford spoke to the press Friday to announce their desire for an alternative arrangement to be made.
While a clear plan wasn’t put forth in terms of exactly when the election should be held, Genrich told reporters that the idea of holding an in-person vote–with social distancing rules in place–during a pandemic is unthinkable.
“Conducting this election in the typical way will be a logistical trainwreck and a public health travesty,” said Genrich.
Hanna says they’re getting mixed messages from Madison officials, arguing that you can’t plan on holding an election when people are mandated by law not to gather in groups greater than 10.
“What’s going to happen two weeks from now? If you’re talking to your health officers you understand this thing is going to get worse before it gets better,” Hanna said. “What is the situation going to be like on April 7th?”
The group argued that holding an election during the pandemic would likely force voters to make an uncomfortable decision that could put lives at risk.
“Voters, especially the elderly, are going to have to choose on election day,” Crawford told reporters. “Do they want to go out of their homes and vote or do they want to stay home for their own safety?”
None of the three mayors said the election should be suspended indefinitely.
When pressed on the issue during a Friday press call, Governor Tony Evers said he didn’t have the authority to postpone the election. He argued that the April 7th election is too critical to delay, and that local seats up for a vote can’t be left vacant during the crisis.
“The bottom line is that it’s going to be on April 7th,” said Evers. “The most important ask here is for people to vote absentee.”
The governor didn’t rule out the idea of conducting an entirely mail-in election.
Polling places were notably exempt from the Governor’s Friday order closing hair salons, day spas, nail salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, body art establishments, and tanning facilities.
