AB 76/SB 69: Modern-Day Poll Tax

Aims to disenfranchise people with felony convictions until they pay all fines imposed as part of their sentence.

Failed to pass both houses, will not become law this session

This bill would prevent people with felony convictions from regaining their constitutional right to vote until they have paid all “fines, costs, fees, surcharges, and restitution” imposed as part of their sentence. Put simply, this proposal would create a modern-day poll tax in Wisconsin.

The ultimate goal of legislation like this is to make it harder for over-policed and over-criminalized groups, disproportionately Black, Indigenous and other people of color, people with disabilities, and people in poverty to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

Read our op-ed