Media
Talking Points Memo: Is Your State Ready For The Pandemic Election? A Look At GA, MI, PA, TX, and WI
With an ever-changing landscape around voting during the pandemic, it’s hard to predict exactly how rocky November’s election will be or what kind of chaos could be in store. While some states have made great strides in adapting their election infrastructure for the COVID-19 outbreak, trouble spots remain. Further complicating the picture is a President eager to trumpet false claims about voter fraud, while his campaign finds other ways to gum up the works.
CBS News: Wisconsin’s August primaries viewed by state officials as “good test run” for November
"I have more confidence today than I had on Monday — let's say that — that things will go more smoothly (in November)," said Shauntay Nelson, the Wisconsin state director for All Voting is Local. "I also have caution because of the fact that there will be so many different things that will be at play in November."
WKOW: 55 years after the Voting Rights Act, Wisconsin voters still face barriers to the ballot box
These are all tactics Shauntay Nelson, Wisconsin Director of All Voting is Local, says disproportionately impact people of color. "It can prove to be a little challenging because we have experiences where people of color are not necessarily up to date on current and changing laws, therefore, causing confusion,” said Nelson.
Time Magazine: The Pandemic Is Causing a Shortage of Poll Workers. Can States Recruit Enough by Election Day?
Shauntay Nelson, the Wisconsin state director for All Voting is Local, says the voting-rights group has been working with the City of Milwaukee municipal clerk and other local organizations to find “nontraditional” ways to recruit poll workers. Among their efforts are using social media, holding information sessions, and even hosting a job fair. She says they’re trying to recruit people from public-facing jobs, like bartenders, that may not be working on Election Day.
WDET: Michigan voting advocates worry about potential “disaster” in November
Aghogho Edevbie is the state director of All Voting is Local. He worries heavy turnout for the November election could exacerbate the problems seen during the August primary.
Frontline: How to Run a Primary in a Pandemic: Michigan Clerks Get a Crash Course
Any delay in releasing vote totals opens the door for those skeptical of the voting process — or disheartened to see a particular candidate winning or losing — to question the legitimacy of the results. “I don’t think that concern is valid. There are really great safeguards in place to protect the sanctity of the vote,” said Aghogho Edevbie, Michigan director for voting rights advocacy organization All Voting is Local.