Election Observation Program

Election Observation Program Reports

• Wisconsin Election Protection: 2018 Midterm Election Report
• Wisconsin Election Protection: 2018 Midterm Election Report Executive Summary
• LWVWI and Access Democracy Electronic Poll Book Pilot Joint Report - April 2018
• April 2018 Election Observation Report
• April 2018 Election Observation Report Executive Summary
• November 2016 Election Observation Report 
• November 2016 Election Observation Report Executive Summary

Program Background

Wisconsin is one of the few states where elections are administered at the municipal level—not the county level. With over 1,800 cities, towns and villages in the state, discrepancies in election administration are bound to occur. To understand how elections were run in different parts of the state, The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin launched a pilot initiative in 2010 with 15 volunteer observers in 18 polling sites.

Since 2010, the LWVWI Election Observation Program has grown significantly thanks to funding from the LWVUS Public Advocacy for Voter Protection program, The Brico Fund and others, an excellent coalition of partners within Wisconsin, as well as dedicated, experienced volunteers and staff. We especially appreciate our volunteer observers, who have provided exceptionally reliable, courteous and invaluable service. Many have continued to assist our program as observers through several elections. Others have gone on to further serve the public by becoming election officials in their communities.

In the years since we launched the pilot program, we have seen major changes in Wisconsin election law including:

• Passage of the voter photo ID law.
• Reduction in the time allowed for early in-person absentee (early) voting.
• Restrictions on voter registration, including Election Day Registration, particularly in the increased documentation required.
• Other new procedures in polling place administration, including a requirement to sign the poll book and changes in the rules for election observers.

The League’s election observers have documented the implementation of these changes by local elections officials across the state. This program’s reports have provided supporting evidence in the League’s advocacy with state and local officials for open, fair and efficiently administered elections.

Learn about how you can become one of our volunteer Election Observers here.

Recent League Statements and Memos

• LWVWI Testimony to Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety in Support of SB 39 
• LWVWI Testimony to Assembly Committee on Children and Families in Support of AB 52 & AB 41
• LWVWI Sues to Prevent Enforcement of Bills Passed During Unconstitutional "Extraordinary Session"
• Statement on the Governor's Signing of Extraordinary Session Bills
• League Testimony to Joint Committee on Finance on Extraordinary Session Bills
• LWVWI Statement of opposition to ICE arrests in Wisconsin
• LWVWI comments to WEC on Election Security and Post-Election Audits
• Same Day Voter Registration in Wisconsin Needs to be Protected
• LWV WI response to Attorney General Comments on Voter Photo ID Law
• LWV WI Statement in Opposition of AB947 Senate Substitute Amendment 1
• LWV WI Letter to the WI DNR regarding the Racine Water Diversion
• LWV Supports Governor's Plan for Lincoln Hills But Urges Faster Implementation