Inspired & excited to see so many Madisonians lawfully voting in today's Democracy in the Park event. Madison is a special place with many treasurers. Our city parks are one. We have the most parks per capita of any U.S. city. Several are adjacent to my neighborhood. 1/13

Those parks are constantly in use. And when I stopped by a couple of them briefly today, I saw a steady of stream people enthusiastically participating by submitting their ballots to poll workers, who were confirming the envelopes were properly completed. #MadisonVotes2020 2/13

Another local treasure is our city clerk, Maribeth Witzel-Behl. She is devoted, tireless, and creative. Our elections run smoothly because she and her staff are excellent. Today, they are innovatively using our parks to enhance democracy. #MadisonVotes2020 3/13

Today’s Democracy in the Park program is an innovative way to harness enthusiasm about the November election, help ensure voters comply with the Wisconsin election code, and provide safe, accessible, outdoor voting during Covid-19. 4/13 #MadisonVotes2020

It is disappointing that @SpeakerVos and @SenFitzgerald have sought to shut down Democracy in the Park. The cease and desist letter their lawyer sent to the City has no substance or merit. All of our leaders should encourage participation in our democracy. 5/13

There should be no doubt: Democracy in the Park is entirely consistent with Wisconsin election law. It provides a safe, accessible, convenient way for voters to return their absentee ballots and confirm they have properly completed the outer envelope. #MadisonVote2020 6/13

Every voter returning an absentee ballot at Democracy in the Park had to obtain that ballot in a way that meets Wisconsin's legal requirements, including having validly registered to vote and having met the voter ID requirement to obtain their absentee ballot. 7/13

Democracy in the Park is not providing in-person absentee voting (a.k.a. early voting) because no voter can obtain a ballot in the park. They must have properly obtained their absentee ballot elsewhere to return it to a park today. #MadisonVotes2020 8/13

Even if Democracy in the Park were somehow improper--and it is NOT--there is no basis for challenging the ballots submitted in the parks today. Wisconsin law provides that individuals can challenge absentee ballots "for cause." Wis. Stat. s. 6.93. #MadisonVotes2020 9/13

Hostility to Madison's efforts to ensure voting is safe & accessible doesn't constitute legal cause. Binding regulations identify valid cause for challenging a ballot, including that the ballot was cast by someone ineligible to vote. Wis. Admin. Code ss. EL 9.01-.02. 10/13

Dissatisfaction with the time and place a ballot was submitted to an election official is not a reason to challenge an absentee ballot. And improper challenges to a lawful voter's absentee ballot can trigger penalties under Wis. Stat. s. 7.41(3). 11/13

The Legislature writes our laws, including the election code. Its leaders shouldn't be fearmongering or attempting to dissuade people from casting lawful ballots. To the contrary, all of our leaders should promote democractic participation and laud Madison's innovation. 12/13

To be clear: there is no legal basis for @SpeakerVos and @SenFitzgerald to attack Democracy in the Park. They are sowing confusion, exacerbating distrust, and undermining democracy. That is not leadership; it is disenfranchisement, pure and simple. #MadisonVotes2020 /end