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January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Constitutional amendment highlights WI primary ballot

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Wednesday, March 20, 2024   

Early voting is underway for the Wisconsin primary election and while the presidential primaries already appear settled for now, pro-democracy organizations say Badger State residents still have a lot to decide.

Joe Biden and Donald Trump have already secured enough delegates in their pursuit of party nominations for this fall's presidential race, but groups like All Voting is Local still implore voters to turn out for Wisconsin's April 2 election.

Sam Liebert, Wisconsin state director for the group All Voting is Local, pointed to municipal and county-level races. And there is a proposed constitutional amendment to ban private grants to help fund local offices administering elections. It is an idea his group opposes.

"I think the real question and the real issue at hand is, why are our elections and their administrators underfunded?" Liebert pointed out. "If there's so much concern about third-party funding, let's have that discussion in the state budget, at our local levels."

The ballot question was pushed by GOP lawmakers, who said such functions need to be shielded from any undue influence. In 2020, Wisconsin communities received grants from Mark Zuckerberg to help election clerks manage needs during the pandemic. Liebert argued permanently restricting donations would undermine election integrity, noting potential meddling from bad actors both foreign and domestic.

Opponents of the question countered election administrators are dealing with aging infrastructure and, in some cases, a lack of volunteers. As for the spring vote, Liebert noted Wisconsinites could ease some of the pressure by casting a ballot early.

"If they're able to vote early, in person, that's a great opportunity," Liebert stressed. "That helps make the lines go faster on Election Day."

Another proposed constitutional amendment Republicans have placed on the statewide ballot asks to further clarify who should be allowed to serve as a poll worker. The question is also opposed by many pro-democracy groups.

Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Supreme Court recently tossed the state's legislative maps over gerrymandering claims. However, voters will not have to decide races involving new boundaries until the August 13 primary.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.


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