Wisconsin voters wait in long lines to vote amid pandemic

APRIL 8, 2020

(📸: Patricia McKnight/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Well over 12,000 people in the U.S have died of coronavirus, and the country is nearing 400,000 cases. But Wisconsin forced voters to risk their health and cast their vote in person Tuesday after two top courts sided with Republicans who objected to efforts to postpone the election and/or extend the absentee ballot deadline.

“Stop playing politics with our lives,” said one voter, who wore a face mask as she waited in a long line.

Results of Wisconsin’s presidential primary, as well as several downballot races, won’t be released until April 13.

Asked to comment on Wisconsin’s election, President Trump derided mail-in ballots as “corrupt.” When NBC News reporter Carol Lee pointed out that he himself had voted by mail in Florida’s election, Trump replied, “Because I’m allowed to.”

Read the latest on nbcnews.com/coronavirus

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: VIDEOS

‘They saw an opportunity to suppress the vote': Lt. Gov. on Wisconsin GOP forcing voters to polls amid pandemic

Mandela Barnes, the Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin, on the state holding an election amid a global pandemic: “We got to this point because of a long trend of voter suppression that’s been going on across the state and across the country.”(All In)

NBC's Kasie Hunt brings us the latest on President Trump's removal of the inspector general overseeing coronavirus relief spending. (MSNBC)

Acting Navy secretary resigns after rebuking captain who raised coronavirus concerns

Acting U.S. Navy secretary Modley resigned amid firestorm over firing of captain who raised coronavirus concerns. (MTP Daily)

MORE VIDEOS

Trump blasts voting by mail, defends himself voting by mail in March (MSNBC)

Wisconsin primary voter: 'This election should have been called off' (MTP Daily)

Keys to combating coronavirus stress and loneliness (MSNBC)

LA Mayor Eric Garcetti: this is a 'defining week' for residents (Katy Tur)

In Illinois and Louisiana COVID-19 deaths spiking in black communities (MSNBC)

DC Mayor Bowser: Models project a surge 'in June into July' (Andrea Mitchell Reports)

Connecticut Governor: 'Nobody' happy with Federal COVID response (MSNBC)

How San Francisco got a jump start against coronavirus (Ruhle)

Stephanie Grisham to be replaced by Kayleigh McEnany as White House press secretary (Andrea Mitchell Reports)

A psychologist and exonerated prisoner give tips on combating coronavirus stress and loneliness (MSNBC)

Here's why you can't find toilet paper. It's not due to hoarding. (All In)

Gov. Newsom: California has deal for 200 million masks per month (Rachel Maddow)

A doctor explains why you shouldn't just start taking hydroxychloroquine, despite what Trump says (11th Hour)

New Jersey governor: 'Please God, stay home' (Rachel Maddow)

How the Army Corps of Engineers customizes field hospitals for local COVID-19 needs (Rachel Maddow)

Ten percent of coronavirus relief funding could be lost to fraud, says former TARP inspector general (11th Hour)

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"People have fought and died for the right to vote and now people are literally putting their lives at risk to cast a ballot."

— Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes on the state holding an election amid the COVID-19 pandemic

COMING UP ON MSNBC

MSNBC's team of experts, contributors and correspondents covering the coronavirus crisis will continue to break down the medical, financial, travel and social impacts of this pandemic.

In this episode of "Into America", Trymaine Lee speaks with a first-time expectant mom about how the coronavirus outbreak is changing her birth plan. Plus, MSNBC contributor Eric Deggans talks about the death of his mother and having to coordinate a funeral that many could only attend online. These are stories of life and loss in a pandemic.Listen and subscribe for free on Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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