WRN file photo
The state Department of Justice has decided not to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to block a court decision that will expand early voting options in many Wisconsin communities this fall.
DOJ spokesman Johnny Koremenos said the agency will not seek a stay of a decision issued Monday by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which rejected a request to block Judge James Peterson’s July ruling that struck down several election laws, including restrictions on absentee voting that shortened the window in which those ballots could be cast, reduced the hours clerks could operate, and limited voting to a single location. The move means communities can move ahead with plans to offer longer in-person absentee voting hours and additional locations for early voting.
Scot Ross with One Wisconsin Institute, one of the groups that challenged the election law changes made by Republicans in recent years, applauded the move. “We hope municipalities across the state will quickly move forward in offering expanded in-person absentee voting hours to ensure all Wisconsinites are able to exercise their right to vote,” Ross said in a statement.