MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Elections officials in Wisconsin approved guidance for local clerks on Thursday regarding the presence of federal law enforcement officials at polling places on Election Day. This decision comes amid concerns from some activists about potential federal agent appearances. A Republican member of the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission was the only commissioner to vote against the guidance, arguing that it could deter voters from participating in the election. Republican Commissioner Bob Spindell stated, "I personally think this guidance is unnecessary because we have not seemed to need it the past 201 years."
Wisconsin elections administrator Meagan Wolfe noted that clerks have received numerous inquiries from voters about how to respond if federal agents appear at polling sites. The guidance aims to assist clerks in managing such situations.
The memo outlines procedures for the approximately 1,800 clerks responsible for administering elections. It specifies that if federal agents, including those from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or the FBI, arrive at polling locations, the head of the polling site should notify the municipal clerk, who will then inform the county clerk and the state elections commission. The guidance states that agents must check in like any other observer and adhere to established rules.
Democratic commissioner Ann Jacobs expressed concerns about the potential intimidation of voters by uniformed officers. The commission agreed to her suggestion that law enforcement agents should be encouraged to wear plain clothes rather than uniforms. Jacobs remarked, "I don't think we want full flak jacket, whatever, law enforcement three feet from our voters. I think that is much different from an ordinary, quiet observation by somebody in plain clothes."
Department of Homeland Security officials have indicated that they do not plan to deploy immigration enforcement officers to polling places and have characterized fears of such actions as "fearmongering." Legal experts have pointed out that federal law prohibits the deployment of armed troops or agents to election sites, except in extreme circumstances.
Organizations representing Latino, Black, and Asian American voters have expressed concern about the current climate, particularly given the increase in immigration arrests under the Trump administration's policies.
Wisconsin elections officials have been conducting news conferences across the state to clarify the voting process and have stated that they do not expect any unusual occurrences at the polls this year. Republican Don Millis, chair of the elections commission, stated, "I expect this election will go like all other elections."