A federal judge doesn’t believe he has the legal authority to postpone Wisconsin’s April 7 elections. But U.S. District Judge William Conley clearly wishes he could.
During a lengthy video hearing on Wednesday, Conley said that holding the election is “a really a bad public policy idea and they should stop it,” because of the risks associated with COVID-19.
Federal Judge William Conley slams Wisconsin Democratic governor and Republican legislative leaders.
He says it’s their job to postpone the election — not him.
“It’s really a bad public policy idea and they should stop it for health reasons,” he says.
— Patrick Marley (@patrickdmarley) April 1, 2020
The “they” Conley was referring to: Democratic Governor Tony Evers and Republican leaders in the legislature, who Conley said had abdicated their responsibilities and refused to “step up” during a crisis.
The judge said if anyone contracts COVID-19 while participating next Tuesday, that “will be on the hands of the Legislature and the governor.”
During closing arguments, federal Judge William Conley says if anyone contracts COVID-19 while participating in Wisconsin’s April 7 election, their condition “will be on the hands of the Legislature and the governor.”
— Laurel White (@lkwhite) April 1, 2020
Conley said he’d consider some changes to how the election is conducted, but may not issue a decision until closer to Election Day.
On the ballot are the state’s presidential preference primary, the election for Wisconsin Supreme Court, and hundreds of local elected offices.