The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 4, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
April 2nd, Wisconsin voters passed two ballot questions impacting how local elections are run, and in Wisconsin and other states’ primaries, large numbers of voters made it known they’re not happy with the apparent nominees.
Wisconsin’s Question 1 constitutionally bans private funding for elections. Unfounded accusations blamed grant money from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg for increasing turnout of Democrats, contributing to Donald Trump’s 2020 loss. It passed with over 54% of the vote.
Question 2 limits who can help run elections, but its vague language raised questions of unintended consequences. It passed with over 58% support. Both questions were aided by lower primary turnout of around 34%.
Despite Donald Trump and Joe Biden already being the apparent nominees, substantial numbers of voters in the April 2nd Presidential primary states of Wisconsin, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island made it clear they weren’t happy with their options.
Almost 21% of Wisconsin GOP voters chose a candidate other than Donald Trump or “Uninstructed,” as did 27% of Connecticut Republicans. Over 12% of Wisconsin Democrats didn’t for Joe Biden, including 8.3% voting for Uninstructed. In Rhode Island, 14.5% voted “Uncommitted,” and a total of 19.3% didn’t vote for Biden. Connecticut Democrats voted 11.5% for Uncommitted, and a total of 15.2% didn’t support Biden.
We have links to the results at AmericanMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – April 2nd Wisconsin Ballot Measures Would Prohibit Outside Help & Funding, Hampering Small Town Elections
Milwaukee Independent – WISCONSIN VOTERS SET TO DECIDE ON REPUBLICAN-BACKED BALLOT MEASURES AIMED TO RESTRICT VOTING RIGHTS
Reuters – April 2 US presidential primary states, delegate counts
Wisconsin Examiner – Constitutional amendments pass setting new limits on elections officials
NBC News – April 2, 2024 Primary Results
Wisconsin Elections Commission – April 1, 2024 Voter Registration Statistics
Groups Taking Action:
All Voting is Local Wisconsin, League of Women Voters WI, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, ACLU WI
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