Webster v. Pinnow

Access to voting is a fundamental right that must be protected for everyone, including individuals with disabilities. Electronic voting options are essential to ensure that all voters, regardless of their abilities, can exercise their right to vote independently, privately, and securely. Without these systems, voters with visual, physical, and other disabilities, as well as those who need language assistance, are unjustly burdened and risk being excluded from the democratic process.

Under both state and federal law, Wisconsin municipalities are required to provide voting systems that enable voters with disabilities to cast their ballots independently and securely. Additionally, Wisconsin law does not permit a municipality to unilaterally abandon such systems without following certain procedures.

Despite these clear legal requirements, and two warnings from the U.S. Department of Justice, the Town of Thornapple discontinued using any electronic voting equipment, depriving disabled voters of the ability to vote privately and independently. This action violates state law and occurred during the April 2 and August 13, 2024 elections, where no electronic voting systems were provided.

We represent voter Erin Webster in this complaint to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, which seeks expedited action to ensure that Wisconsin municipalities comply with state law regulating voting systems, including those systems that permit voters with disabilities to vote privately and independently. This complaint was filed after a complaint to the WEC on a similar matter, where we represent Disability Rights Wisconsin.