Who will be watching you vote? A request for election monitors

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Your polling place may look a bit different this election day, if Congresswoman Gwen Moore gets her wish. Moore wants the federal government to send election monitors to staff the badger state's voting locations on November 4th.

If Milwaukee County Election Commissioner, Rick Baas comes across as upset, perhaps it's because he's eager to set the record straight on some comments he recently made.

"I of course never called for vigilantism," said Baas.

Baas is a self-described Republican, and he now finds himself being cited as a 'case-in-point' example for Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Moore's request that the Department of Justice provide election monitors and other resources to ensure access to the polls on November 4th.

In a letter to the attorney general, Congresswoman Moore writes:

"We are deeply concerned about a news report that Milwaukee County Election Commissioner Rick Baas recently urged a crowd of volunteers to exercise vigilantism for voter fraud and challenge voters who are suspected of improperly voting. As you know, there is scant evidence that in-person voter fraud exists in Wisconsin or throughout the country. Such in-person challenges are likely to be used improperly and they would dissuade voters from exercising their right to vote."

FOX6 News was not in attendance at Baas' speech. Nor was anyone from the congresswoman's office. A spokesman for Congresswoman Moore says they got the information from a news website called 'Think Progress'.

Baas says he asked the crowd members to understand their legal responsibility and take it seriously this election.

"My simple request was if this type of attempt to get voter fraud happens it's something that's tangible. I'm not going to talk about pie in the sky things you can't prove," said Baas.

The spokesman for Congresswoman Moore points out that passions are hot across the political spectrum this election. He says they just want to make sure those emotions don't prevent anyone, from any party, from casting a ballot.

"Elections need to be open, transparent, and most of all we need to make sure that everyone feels safe, feels comfortable while exercising their democratic right," said Eric Harris, Press Secretary and Communications Director for Congresswoman Gwen Moore.

Again, the congresswoman is asking for the Department of Justice to supply election monitors and other resources. She asks that the department help dispel any misinformation that may be circulating in the wake of all the back and forth decisions on voter ID.

Three other members of the Wisconsin Delegation signed on to the letter as well.