GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – There’s been confusion over the last couple of weeks on how voters with disabilities turn in their absentee ballots.
For some, the only way to submit that ballot is through the help of someone else.
Jessica Nell is one of them. She has been living with Cerebral Palsy since birth.
“If that is not available to me, my right is taken from me,” Nell said. “It’s as simple as that.”
The only way for her to vote is through an absentee ballot.
“My opinion is just as valuable, if not more valuable because we need to make the world more accessible,” Nell said. “And we need to make sure we’re looking at all the opinions of people”
Roughly one week ago, the Wisconsin Elections Commission decided voters with disabilities can get help from others when submitting absentee ballots. It’s in line with a federal court ruling.
Republican State Rep. David Steffen of Howard looks to propose new legislation in January.
“This is going to be a clean up on aisle five situation.”
The hope is to guarantee absentee voting rights for those who are disabled.
“One of the biggest questions many people have is how will you define the term disability? Have you had any time to reflect on that?” FOX11 asked.
“Yeah, great question, we’re going to be taking the language directly from the federal law,” Steffen replied. “And we’re also going to be putting additional effort to ensure that it mirrors the federal legislation, it mirrors other states.”
Steffen is working with Disability Rights-Wisconsin.
He’s worked with other disability groups on past legislation.
“I’m glad to do it again on this one.” said Steffen. “This one is the most important because it’s one of those guaranteed under federal law.”
Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty President and General Counsel Rick Esenberg is in favor of the proposal.
“I think that he’s perfectly right to do so,” said Esenberg.
But he adds clerks should use their discretion.
“If somebody comes in and has a stack of 50 ballots, the odds are this is not somebody who’s complying with the law and that some additional inquiries should be undertaken,” said Esenberg.
As for Steffen, he’s confident a draft of the legislation will be available for the public to view in the next 90 days.
