Brendan Fischer — Wisconsin Had Best-Run Elections in US, So Republicans Fixed 'Em

Wisconsin again ranked among the best in the country when it comes to running elections, according to a new study from Pew Charitable Trusts -- yet apparently this outstanding performance is a problem, and it might be "fixed" through new limits on early voting and proposals to kill same-day registration.

In the 2012 elections, Wisconsin ranked second in voter turnout, just behind neighboring Minnesota. Both states allow election day registration and adequate time for early voting (a combination that studies show increases voter participation), and both had turnout well above 70%.

Overall, Wisconsin ranked third among the 50 states, according to the Pew study, based on criteria like voter turnout, average wait times, and voter registration policies. Pew also ranked Wisconsin among the highest-performing states during the 2008 and 2010 election cycles.
Wisconsin has high rates of participation, short lines and no problem with fraud, yet Republicans have remained uniquely fixated on enacting sweeping changes to how the state's elections are run.

Needless to say, making it harder to vote is poisonous to democracy. But the term "republican" means distrust of democracy and preference for elite rule. Wisconsin is only the tip of the iceberg of voter suppression.

Truthout
Wisconsin Had Best-Run Elections in US, So Republicans Fixed 'Em
Brendan Fischer, PR Watch | News Analysis