Wisconsin Gov. Evers Must Veto Bill That Would Put Poll Tax on Voters With Felony Convictions

June 24, 2025

MILWAUKEE – In response to the Wisconsin Legislature passing Senate Bill 95 / Assembly Bill 87, which would impose a modern-day poll tax for voters with a felony conviction by requiring them to pay restitution fines and fees to have their right to vote restored, All Voting is Local Action Wisconsin State Director Sam Liebert released the following statement:

“No voter should ever have to pay for their right to vote to be restored. This legislation is a modern-day poll tax for justice-impacted voters, and it goes against Wisconsin’s core democratic values. Our criminal justice system hinges on the principle of rehabilitation, and essential to that process is reentering society with full citizenship rights.

“People with felony convictions should never be denied their fundamental right to vote if they aren’t able to afford these ridiculous fines. This is a clear attempt to suppress certain voters and to silence their voices during elections. Governor Evers must do the right thing and immediately veto Senate Bill 95 and the accompanying Assembly Bill 87 to stand up for Wisconsinites and keep these bad-faith attacks on voters out of our state.”