--- title: "Judge finds Wisconsin absentee voting discriminates against disabled voters" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/judge-finds-wisconsin-absentee-voting-discriminates-against-disabled-voters" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/judge-finds-wisconsin-absentee-voting-discriminates-against-disabled-voters" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/judge-finds-wisconsin-absentee-voting-discriminates-against-disabled-voters.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/judge-finds-wisconsin-absentee-voting-discriminates-against-disabled-voters" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-08-05T01:46:29.533Z" source_reported: "2026-08-04T21:22:27.000Z" updated: "2026-08-05T01:46:29.533Z" trust_score: 82 critic_score: 60 hype_score: 20 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-06T21:54:18.712Z" --- # Judge finds Wisconsin absentee voting discriminates against disabled voters *Dane County Circuit Judge Everett Mitchell ruled the state’s paper-only system denies equal opportunity but stopped short of ordering electronic ballots* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 82 of 100, higher is better. Two full reports from centre and left outlets. - Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. Lacking direct quotes from affected parties. - Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. Measured language in headlines and reports. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Dane County Circuit Judge Everett Mitchell ruled Wisconsin’s paper-only absentee ballots deny disabled voters equal opportunity to vote privately and independently. - The judge did not order electronic ballots, deferring to a future trial that will likely occur after the November 2026 election. - The lawsuit was filed in 2024 by Disability Rights Wisconsin, the League of Women Voters, and four disabled voters, with the Republican-controlled Legislature opposing it. - A hearing is scheduled for 12 August 2026 to set a potential trial date. A Wisconsin judge ruled on 4 August 2026 that the state’s absentee voting system discriminates against disabled voters. Dane County Circuit Judge Everett Mitchell found the requirement to complete and return paper ballots denies them the equal opportunity to vote privately and independently. The decision stems from a lawsuit filed in 2024 by Disability Rights Wisconsin, the League of Women Voters, and four disabled voters. Mitchell declined to order elections officials to offer electronic ballots, citing unresolved disputes over whether such a program would be a reasonable remedy. The judge noted concerns about implementation difficulties and risks. The Republican-controlled Legislature is contesting the lawsuit, and a hearing is set for 12 August 2026 to determine a potential trial date. The case is unlikely to be resolved before the November 2026 election. Wisconsin currently allows electronic absentee ballots only for military and overseas voters. Neither the plaintiffs nor the Wisconsin Elections Commission provided estimates of how many disabled voters might request electronic ballots if the option were available. ## What the coverage left out None of the digests from the right-rated outlet mentioned the judge’s earlier temporary injunction in 2024 or the appeals court’s reversal of that ruling. The centre-rated digests did not include the plaintiffs’ argument that the lack of an electronic option violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. The left-rated digests did not mention that Wisconsin currently allows electronic absentee ballots for military and overseas voters. ## Who covered it Shares of the 22 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 41% (9) - Centre: 54% (12) - Right: 5% (1) 3 of 25 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-06T21:54:18.712Z. **Coverage watch:** closed. Checked 38 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-10T11:15:15.591Z. Watch closed 2026-08-10T11:15:15.591Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The nine left-rated digests led on the judge’s finding that Wisconsin’s absentee voting system discriminates against disabled voters. They included the judge’s statement that the paper-only system denies them the equal opportunity to vote privately and independently, as reported by the Associated Press. The digests also noted the lawsuit was brought by Disability Rights Wisconsin, the League of Women Voters, and four disabled voters in 2024. - The Associated Press’s full report, carried by outlets in this group, quoted the judge’s ruling verbatim: “the equal opportunity to vote absentee privately and independently.” It also detailed the plaintiffs’ argument that the lack of an electronic option violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. The report included the judge’s earlier temporary injunction in 2024, which was later reversed by an appeals court. ### Centre - The eight centre-rated digests led on the judge’s ruling that the state’s absentee ballot program discriminates against disabled voters. They included the judge’s refusal to order electronic ballots, as reported by Washington Top News. The digests noted the Republican-controlled Legislature is opposing the lawsuit and that a hearing is scheduled for 12 August 2026. - Washington Top News’s full report quoted the judge’s reasoning for not ordering electronic ballots, including the difficulty of instituting such a program and the risks involved. It also noted that under the judge’s previous ruling, voters who self-certify they cannot read or mark a paper ballot without help would be eligible to request an electronic ballot. The report mentioned that absentee ballots are currently emailed only to military and overseas voters. ### Right - The single right-rated digest, from the Washington Examiner, led on the judge’s ruling that the state’s absentee voting system discriminates against disabled voters by denying them the ability to cast ballots privately and independently. It noted the judge did not order election officials to offer electronic absentee ballots before the November 2026 election. The digest included that the lawsuit was filed by Disability Rights Wisconsin, the League of Women Voters, and four disabled voters in 2024. **Settled coverage blindspot:** right. This finding was made after the coverage watch closed. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - high: 11 - unknown: 6 - veryHigh: 8 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [APG of Wisconsin](https://apg-wi.com/news/state/dane-co-judge-says-absentee-voting-system-discriminates-against-people-with-disabilities/article_627df35c-7356-5d9e-84c7-015d779e18c7.html) — Dane Co. judge says absentee voting system discriminates against people with disabilities - [News.law](https://news.law/wisconsin-judge-rules-paper-absentee-ballots-discriminate-against-disabled-voters) — Wisconsin Judge Rules Paper Absentee Ballots Discriminate Against Disabled Voters - [Greater Milwaukee Today](https://gmtoday.com/news/state/wisconsin-judge-rules-that-paper-absentee-ballots-violate-rights-of-certain-disabled-people/article_e8f415a3-0d64-42fd-8dc0-4356e5a103fb.html) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people - [TelegraphHerald.com](https://telegraphherald.com/ap/national/article_c62c0f74-899f-5791-aa5c-8445336fc09b.html) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people - [Washington Examiner](https://washingtonexaminer.com/news/justice/4674809/wisconsin-judge-paper-absentee-ballots-discriminate-disabled-voters) — WI judge rules paper absentee ballots discriminate against disabled voters - [The Record](https://troyrecord.com/2026/08/04/disabled-voters-wisconsin) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people - [WTMJ](https://wtmj.com/ap/2026/08/04/wisconsin-judge-rules-that-paper-absentee-ballots-violate-rights-of-certain-disabled-people) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people - [Chicago Tribune](https://chicagotribune.com/2026/08/04/wisconsin-paper-absentee-ballots-disabled-people) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people - [Spectrum News](https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/milwaukee/news/2026/08/04/wisconsin-judge-absentee-ballots-ruling-disabled-people) — Wisconsin judge rules paper absentee ballots violate rights of disabled people - [WBAL](https://wbal.com/wisconsin-judge-rules-that-paper-absentee-ballots-violate-rights-of-certain-disabled-people) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of ce - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/08/wisconsin-judge-rules-that-paper-absentee-ballots-violate-rights-of-certain-disabled-people) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/united-states/wisconsin-judge-rules-that-paper-absentee-ballots-violate-rights-of-certain-disabled-people/article_e725cd73-f9ba-59ff-a875-bf7a00f11af5.html) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people - [Loonie Politics](https://looniepolitics.com/wisconsin-judge-rules-that-paper-absentee-ballots-violate-rights-of-certain-disabled-people) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/wisconsin-judge-rules-that-paper-absentee-ballots-violate-rights-of-certain-disabled-people) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people - [Newsday](https://newsday.com/news/nation/disabled-voters-wisconsin-electronic-election-v72122) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/wisconsin-madison-republican-legislature-americans-with-disabilities-act-b3027473.html) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/disabled-voters-wisconsin-electronic-election-c847246796ff0ae8382b2c2a332a59bf) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people - [Ottumwa Courier](https://ottumwacourier.com/news/national_news/wisconsin-judge-rules-that-paper-absentee-ballots-violate-rights-of-certain-disabled-people/article_063b3858-ce8e-5fc4-8e0a-acb7c6f11966.html) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people - [The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel](https://gjsentinel.com/news/us/wisconsin-judge-rules-that-paper-absentee-ballots-violate-rights-of-certain-disabled-people/article_8160922e-1086-5ec2-8fde-e68ae23e96d6.html) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people - [KTBS](https://ktbs.com/news/national/wisconsin-judge-rules-that-paper-absentee-ballots-violate-rights-of-certain-disabled-people/article_d449eb63-92b8-5e2e-99ca-45dfc6d21d73.html) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people - [Bangor Daily News](https://bangordailynews.com/2026/08/04/nation/wisconsin-judge-rules-that-paper-absentee-ballots-violate-rights-of-certain-disabled-people) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people - [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/news/world/united-states/wisconsin-judge-rules-that-paper-absentee-ballots-violate-rights-of-certain-disabled-people/article_375b8ab9-47b1-5cea-a7e0-a8c7f3bb56e7.html) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people - [St Catharines Standard](https://stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/world/united-states/wisconsin-judge-rules-that-paper-absentee-ballots-violate-rights-of-certain-disabled-people/article_94a83da7-f265-5b5d-8e2a-a494096a2598.html) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people - [WellandTribune.ca](https://wellandtribune.ca/news/world/united-states/wisconsin-judge-rules-that-paper-absentee-ballots-violate-rights-of-certain-disabled-people/article_04de3855-e725-584b-a7d7-ffc512cc8342.html) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/08/04/wisconsin-judge-rules-that-paper-absentee-ballots-violate-rights-of-certain-disabled-people) — Wisconsin judge rules that paper absentee ballots violate rights of certain disabled people ## Questions **What did the Wisconsin judge rule about absentee ballots?** Dane County Circuit Judge Everett Mitchell ruled Wisconsin’s paper-only absentee ballots discriminate against disabled voters by denying them the equal opportunity to vote privately and independently. The decision does not order electronic ballots but sets the stage for a future trial. **Who brought the lawsuit against Wisconsin’s absentee voting system?** The lawsuit was filed in 2024 by Disability Rights Wisconsin, the League of Women Voters, and four disabled voters. They argued the lack of an electronic voting option violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and their right to independence and privacy. **Will electronic absentee ballots be available for the November 2026 election?** No. Judge Everett Mitchell declined to order electronic ballots, and a trial is unlikely to be resolved before the November 2026 election. A hearing is scheduled for 12 August 2026 to set a potential trial date. **Which voters in Wisconsin currently receive electronic absentee ballots?** Wisconsin currently allows electronic absentee ballots only for military and overseas voters. The judge’s ruling does not extend this option to disabled voters, though he previously suggested voters who self-certify they cannot mark paper ballots could request electronic ones. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/judge-finds-wisconsin-absentee-voting-discriminates-against-disabled-voters. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Judge finds Wisconsin absentee voting discriminates against disabled voters", https://mediabias.news/politics/judge-finds-wisconsin-absentee-voting-discriminates-against-disabled-voters