MADISON, Wis. (WRN) – Disability Rights Wisconsin is pleased by Tuesday’s state Supreme Court ruling that keeps documents filed when a person is found incompetent to vote, confidential. Lisa Hassenstab is the group’s Public Policy Manager.
She says, “The affirmation that Chapter 54 really clearly states that guardianship records are confidential and should remain that way is something that’s really important to people’s ability to maintain their privacy and independence. And so we’re really pleased to see that the majority of justices thought the same way we did about that.”
The 5-2 bipartisan decision means documents indicating an individual is not eligible to vote due to health or a disability are protected under state law.
The Wisconsin Voter Alliance had sued Walworth County in 2022 for copies of guardianship records filed with the Wisconsin Elections Commission, to support claims that ineligible voters cast ballots in the 2020 presidential election.