State Sen. Nikiya Harris, D-Milwaukee, and Rep. Mandela Barnes, D-Milwaukee, introduced the Honest Elections Bill Wednesday, which would prohibit the distribution of false information regarding the time, place and manner of elections and voting qualifications.
Harris said deceptions in elections should not be tolerated. She was also hopeful that the legislation “can promote honesty and fairness in our elections,” according to release.
Barnes said people who spread false ballot information to voters should be held accountable.
“[Disseminating false information] happens because people who vote only in the bigger elections, are liable to [believe] certain information that a person who votes every election would not believe,” Barnes said.
The legislation was proposed in response to evidence of false information being distributed to voters in Wisconsin. False information is usually passed around in low-income neighborhoods, according to Barnes.
He also said he is fairly confident about the bill’s chances because it is trying to promote integrity in the voting system.
“People should not be given false information about voting,” he said.
