Wisconsin Republican Legislators Ban Early Voting

State lawmakers in Wisconsin had to scramble last night, tackling pending bills at the last minute before the clock ran out on the legislative session. And for the most part, the Republican majority did what it wanted to do – including cracking down on early-voting opportunities for Wisconsin residents.

The debate on ending weekend voting in the run-up to elections contained some of the most heated exchanges of the day. Democrats decried the limits on early voting as the latest effort by the GOP to make it harder for minorities, veterans, the elderly and students to vote.

“Democrats want to fix problems. Republicans want to fix elections,” an array of Democrats said in speech after speech.

The measure was approved along party lines and is now headed for Gov. Scott Walker’s (R) desk. It is widely assumed he’ll sign the bill into law.