MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A group run by former Democratic U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder says it plans legal action to block a limitation on early voting in Wisconsin signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker.
The Republican governor signed it Friday after the Legislature passed it in a lame-duck session last week.
Early voting would be limited to no more than two weeks before an election under the bill Walker signed.
Holder says in a statement that's a "shameful attack on our democracy."
Holder's group, the National Redistricting Foundation, will pursue legal action along with the Wisconsin-based liberal group One Wisconsin Now.
The groups successfully sued in federal court in 2016 to overturn similar early voting and other restrictions enacted by Walker.
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2:20 p.m.
Democratic Gov.-elect Tony Evers says he's reviewing his options on how to stop lame-duck legislation that weakens his authority.
Republican Gov. Scott Walker signed the bills into law Friday. Evers held a brief news conference to rail against the bills, saying the legislation was created without accountability and transparency and was aimed at reversing the Nov. 6 election.
Evers said he's reviewing his options and will do everything he can to ensure the people of the state aren't overlooked or ignored. He didn't elaborate and quickly left the news conference after five minutes without answering any questions. He tried to leave through a glass door that was marked as locked as a reporter shouted questions at him. A member of his staff showed him out through a different door.
The legislation prohibits Evers from withdrawing from a multistate lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act. The package also shields the state's job-creation agency from Evers' control until September and limits his ability to enact administrative rules.
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2 p.m.
Democratic Attorney General-elect Josh Kaul is calling lame-duck legislation Republican Gov. Scott Walker signed into law "stunningly bad" but isn't saying if he'll challenge the changes in court.
The bills dramatically reduce Kaul's powers. The legislation allows lawmakers to intervene in state lawsuits, eliminates the state Justice Department's solicitor general's office, requires Kaul get lawmakers' approval before settling cases and sends all settlement money to the state's general fund rather than to the Justice Department.
Walker signed the bills Friday. Kaul issued a statement Friday saying the "stunningly bad" legislation is designed to diminish the impact of the November election on Republicans.
Kaul has predicted the legislation would spark multiple lawsuits. He didn't say in the statement if he would sue, however. His spokeswoman, Gillian Drummond, didn't immediately reply to an email.
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1 p.m.
Gov. Scott Walker says he plans to remain in Wisconsin after leaving office in 24 days.
Walker spoke briefly about his future Friday after signing three bills into law weakening the powers of his Democratic successor Tony Evers.
The former presidential candidate says he's had a lot of opportunities in recent weeks to take jobs in Washington, but he plans to remain in Wisconsin. He did not say what those opportunities were.
Walker ran for a third term, saying he had no interest in joining Republican President Donald Trump's administration after his victory in 2016.
Since his loss to Evers in November, Walker has not said what he plans to do. His term ends on Jan. 7.
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12:50 p.m.
Democratic Wisconsin Gov.-elect Tony Evers is ripping Republican incumbent Scott Walker for signing lame-duck legislation that weakens the governor's office and restricts early voting.
Walker signed the bills Friday in Green Bay. Evers issued a statement saying Walker is ignoring the will of voters who elected him. He says the people asked politicians on Election Day to solve problems, not "pick petty, political fights."
He says the people of the state expect more than what they've gotten over the last few weeks.
The measures prohibit Evers from withdrawing from a multistate lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act. The package also shields the state's job-creation agency from Evers' control until September and limits his ability to enact administrative rules.
The legislation also limits early in-person voting to two weeks before an election.
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12:20 p.m.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has signed a sweeping package of Republican-authored lame-duck legislation that restricts early voting and weakens the incoming Democratic governor and attorney general.
The measures restrict early in-person voting to two weeks before an election. The legislation gives Republicans control of the state jobs creation agency, blocks Democratic Gov.-elect Tony Evers from withdrawing Wisconsin from a multistate lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act.
The bills also eliminate the state Justice Department's solicitor general's office and allow legislators to intervene in state lawsuits, ensuring they can defend Republican policies if Democratic Attorney General-elect Josh Kaul won't.
Walker ignored pleas from Democrats and some Republicans to veto the measures, saying enacting them tarnishes his legacy.
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9:05 a.m.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker plans to take action on a sweeping package of Republican-authored lame-duck legislation that restricts early voting and weakens the powers of the incoming Democratic governor and attorney general.
Walker's office announced the event at noon Friday at a Green Bay state office building. Walker has repeatedly signaled support for the bills and downplayed bipartisan concerns that they're a power grab.
Walker has also said he intends to make some partial vetoes, without giving specifics.
The measures give Republicans control of the state jobs creation agency and block Gov.-elect Tony Evers (EE'-vers) from withdrawing Wisconsin from a multistate lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act.
They also prevent Evers from seeking to withdraw a federal waiver allowing the state to force Medicaid recipients to work to receive benefits.
