{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/letter-to-doj-re-overseeing-wi-elections", "Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Reps. Gwen Moore, Ron Kind and Mark Pocan Urge U.S Department of Justice to Assist in Overseeing Wisconsin’s Elections", "2016-10-26", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.26.16\n\t\t\t Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Reps. Gwen Moore, Ron Kind and Mark Pocan Urge U.S Department of Justice to Assist in Overseeing Wisconsin\u2019s Elections \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Senator Tammy Baldwin along with Representatives Gwen Moore, Ron Kind and Mark Pocan, sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice requesting assistance in overseeing Wisconsin\u2019s monitoring of the election, including providing poll-monitoring services in the state. The request was spurred by Wisconsin\u2019s contentious and discriminatory Voter ID Law and a political environment that has become increasingly intimidating for voters.\r\n\u201cThe state\u2019s 2011 voter identification law, one of the strictest in the country, has been repeatedly challenged in federal court due to its discriminatory effects on vulnerable populations\u2019 voting rights.\u00a0 Due to the law\u2019s contentious nature and poor implementation, coupled with a political environment that is becoming increasingly intimidating, we are requesting the Department of Justice\u2019s assistance in overseeing the state\u2019s monitoring of the election, including by providing poll-monitoring services in Wisconsin,\u201d wrote the lawmakers. \u201cWe have continued to see how Wisconsin\u2019s voter ID law puts the franchise of many Wisconsinites, particularly people of color, in real jeopardy. Over the last month, press reports have revealed that on numerous occasions, Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicle employees provided erroneous and incomplete information to potential voters who are unable to obtain IDs due to a lack of required documentation (like a birth certificate), despite their eligibility for alternative credentials.\u201d\r\nIn addition, they asked the U.S. Department of Justice for resources and assistance in Wisconsin, writing, \u201cWe ask the Department to provide any resources or assistance it can in order to help our state navigate these unsettling circumstances.\u00a0 For example, the Department has historically provided poll monitors on Election Day to help ensure that all eligible voters will be permitted to register and exercise their fundamental right to participate in our democracy. We therefore urge the Department of Justice to utilize any available election monitoring resources to ensure voters in Wisconsin are able to safely access the polls.\u201d\r\nA copy of the letter the lawmakers sent is available here.\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Press Release\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Press Release", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/letter-to-doj-re-overseeing-wi-elections"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4039170928299427, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}