Scott Walker Signs Bill Limiting Early Voting, But Uses Partial Veto

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) signed a bill Thursday limiting early voting in the state, but vetoed a portion of the bill that would have restricted early voting to no more than 45 hours a week.

According to the AP, the bill limits in-person absentee voting to no later than 7 p.m. on weeknights and prohibits early voting on the weekends.

Democrats in the Badger State have strongly opposed measures limiting early voting, saying such measures could disenfranchise racial minorities, veterans, seniors and students, creating longer lines on election day. The AP reports Democrats were worried the measure would hurt voter turnout in heavily Democratic cities like Milwaukee and Madison, which held extended hours during the 2012 presidential election.

According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Republicans pushed the measure in order to seek more uniform voting hours around the state.