Election fraud remains one of the greatest threats to American democracy, and ensuring the integrity of our electoral process is paramount. Over the years, countless reports have surfaced of fraudulent votes being cast, ballots mishandled, and loopholes exploited. Without strong safeguards in place, like voter ID requirements, the very foundation of free and fair elections is at risk.
Voter ID is a simple, common-sense solution that ensures every vote cast is legitimate and ties each ballot to a real, eligible voter. Without it, the door is wide open for fraud.
The absence of strong voter ID laws or the exploitation of loopholes puts trust in the electoral process at an all-time low. If people don’t believe in the integrity of elections, the whole system breaks down. It’s not about disenfranchising voters; it’s about making sure every legitimate vote counts.
No one should be able to bypass this critical step, yet in some states, like Wisconsin, there are ways to do just that. A recent report highlights just how dangerous these loopholes can be.
From Daily Wire:
A conservative legal group warned Monday of a “loophole” that allows thousands of voters in Wisconsin to cast a ballot without showing identification.The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) released a research report that said there are 144,347 people in the Badger State classified as “indefinitely confined,” meaning that they could cast an absentee ballot without showing ID. Indefinitely confined rates skyrocketed during the 2020 election and allowed tens of thousands to cast absentee ballots.
The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) has sounded the alarm on a loophole in Wisconsin’s election law that allows thousands of voters to cast absentee ballots without showing any form of identification. These voters fall under the category of “indefinitely confined,” a status that was meant to help elderly or disabled voters who cannot physically go to the polls.
However, according to WILL, this status is being exploited. Their research shows that 144,347 voters in Wisconsin are currently classified as indefinitely confined, allowing them to vote absentee without ever showing an ID.
WILL’s report also reveals that while the number of indefinitely confined voters has decreased since the 2020 election, it remains 116% higher than it was in 2016. This sharp rise has raised concerns that many people who should no longer qualify for this status remain on the list. The group highlighted that state law requires local clerks to remove voters from the indefinitely confined list if they vote in person or don’t vote in any election, yet thousands of voters who meet these criteria are still on the rolls.
The problem is especially pronounced in Democratic strongholds like Milwaukee and Madison, where the largest numbers of indefinitely confined voters are located. During the 2020 election, local election officials in these areas encouraged voters to claim indefinitely confined status due to COVID-19 concerns. However, the Wisconsin Supreme Court later ruled against this blanket guidance after the election, adding further complexity to an already controversial issue.
WILL has called for tighter guidelines and more rigorous oversight of the indefinitely confined voter status, arguing that the loophole is ripe for exploitation. In a state like Wisconsin, a key battleground in the upcoming 2024 election, even a small number of fraudulent votes could sway the outcome. As the nation gears up for another contentious election, ensuring that loopholes like this are closed is essential to restoring public trust in the process.
Key Takeaways:
- A loophole in Wisconsin’s election law allows 144,347 voters to cast absentee ballots without showing ID by claiming “indefinitely confined” status.
- The number of indefinitely confined voters remains 116% higher than in 2016, raising concerns about potential exploitation of this status.
- The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty calls for tighter regulations and oversight to prevent further misuse and protect the integrity of the 2024 election.
Source: Daily Wire