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general election. The WEC and local election officials
also took it upon themselves to encourage voters to
unlawfully declare themselves “indefinitely
confined”—which under Wisconsin law allows the
voter to avoid security measures like signature
verification and photo ID requirements.
116. Specifically, registering to vote by
absentee ballot requires photo identification, except
for those who register as “indefinitely confined” or
“hospitalized.” WISC. STAT. § 6.86(2)(a), (3)(a).
Registering for indefinite confinement requires
certifying confinement “because of age, physical
illness or infirmity or [because the voter] is disabled
for an indefinite period.” Id. § 6.86(2)(a). Should
indefinite confinement cease, the voter must notify
the county clerk, id., who must remove the voter from
indefinite-confinement status. Id. § 6.86(2)(b).
117. Wisconsin election procedures for voting
absentee based on indefinite confinement enable the
voter to avoid the photo ID requirement and signature
requirement. Id. § 6.86(1)(ag)/(3)(a)(2).
118. On March 25, 2020, in clear violation of
Wisconsin law, Dane County Clerk Scott McDonnell
and Milwaukee County Clerk George Christensen
both issued guidance indicating that all voters should
mark themselves as “indefinitely confined” because of
the COVID-19 pandemic.
119. Believing this to be an attempt to
circumvent Wisconsin’s strict voter ID laws, the
Republican Party of Wisconsin petitioned the
Wisconsin Supreme Court to intervene. On March 31,
2020, the Wisconsin Supreme Court unanimously
confirmed that the clerks’ “advice was legally
incorrect” and potentially dangerous because “voters