WISCONSIN — Governor Tony Evers announced Friday that all evictions and foreclosures will be suspended during the coronavirus pandemic.
This new order from Gov. Evers prohibits landlords from evicting tenants for any reason, unless the lack of an eviction puts others in danger.
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Wisconsinites who have the ability to continue paying their rent, are asked to do so. However, if you are unable to make payments, you no longer have to deal with the fear of eviction. However, this order does not in any way relieve a person's obligation to pay their rent or mortgages.
“During this time individuals, families, and small businesses may see disruptions in paychecks due to losing hours, tips, business, or employment. This is another step we can take to prioritize the health and safety of Wisconsinites during this public health emergency,” said Gov. Evers.
This order is just another step Gov. Evers has taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
“Evictions and foreclosures pose a direct and serious threat to the health and well-being of Wisconsinites, ensuring they are able to keep a roof over their heads and those in social services can prioritize assisting those who currently do not have shelter is critically important," said Gov. Evers.
The Milwaukee County Clerk and 19 municipal clerks also released a statement saying they support the decision of having the election be 100% absentee.
“Unless we ‘flatten the curve’ the decline of available poll workers will continue to decline, and our clerks will have no one to run the polling sites on Election Day. The legislation we are seeking protects the health of our poll works and the general public while simultaneously preserving the peoples’ right to vote by allowing them to cast their ballot safely,” said Milwaukee County Clerk George Christenson.
Speaker Robin Vos also released a statement regarding mail-in ballots, questioning the governor's decision to make these changes weeks before the election.
In his statement, Vos said, “The governor’s idea is merely a statewide invitation for voter fraud. More than 100,000 votes have already been cast and 600,000 additional absentee ballots have been sent out, meaning that a large number of voters could receive two ballots. And because the voter rolls are not updated, ballots would go to thousands of people who may have moved. It was careless and reckless for Governor Evers to even make this suggestion.”
Check back often for updates on this developing story.