<aside> <img src="/icons/bell_blue.svg" alt="/icons/bell_blue.svg" width="40px" /> Below is general summary of the potential election administration vulnerabilities identified in Wisconsin.
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Election processes in Wisconsin are grounded firmly in state statute. In addition, the Wisconsin Elections Commission (“WEC”) provides manuals, guidance, and advisory opinions governing all aspects of election administration.
Because state law is clear, there are few inherent vulnerabilities in the Wisconsin’s election processes. Instead, election vulnerabilities are mostly created by state officials and organizations perpetuating election conspiracies, including ones that result in officials attempting to violate state law. An encouraging finding in this research was the number of Wisconsin County Clerks across the political spectrum who were defending the fairness of elections in the state.
Informing Democracy reviewed Wisconsin County Clerks and members of County Boards of Canvassers to identify officials who could pose a threat to free and fair elections. Of the 210 officials reviewed, 15 had concerning findings in their background, which is about 7%, spread across 15 counties. Three were County Clerks and the remaining 12 were members of County Boards of Canvassers. While Wisconsin officials had low levels of concerning findings relative to other states, we still recommend that Wisconsin’s 2024 elections be closely watched to ensure that they are run freely and fairly, and decided by the voters.
Concerning findings do not mean an official will seek to undermine the next election, just as a lack of findings is not a guarantee an official will faithfully execute their duties. This research provides guidance on where attention should be focused to ensure that elections are administered properly according to the law. Notably, research showed that the vast majority of local election officials are dedicated public servants, committed to running free and fair elections.
Below, we highlight areas that have been targeted in the past and potential areas that may be vulnerable this election cycle.
Eight Wisconsin county election officials — one County Clerk and seven members of Boards of Canvassers — publicly denied or questioned the results of the 2020 election. Adams County Clerk Liana Glavin shared posts during the post-vote period amplifying claims that Trump was the rightful winner, including one that questioned if the election was final on January 6. Dave Staats, a member of the Green County Board of Canvassers, wrote of post-election audits “I just do not believe anything will be done.… Every minute the Biden mafia is in office is one more minute of proof.”
The WEC is a bipartisan agency created by the state legislature that oversees statewide elections. The WEC releases guidance both interpreting state law and filling in gaps where statutes are silent on a particular issue. The Chairperson of the WEC also certifies the final election results for the state.
Post-2020, the WEC continues to be a target for those seeking to undermine voters’ faith in impartial election administration in the state. Recent attacks include an effort by Republican lawmakers to oust WEC Administrator Meagan Wolfe and the introduction of legislation to dissolve the WEC entirely.
The WEC itself has become more partisan, increasingly deadlocking on party lines. The stalemates at the WEC have resulted in confusion, inconsistency, decreased trust in the agency, and increased responsibility on local election officials.
Canvassing and certification processes in Wisconsin are clearly laid out in state statute. Municipal and County Boards of Canvassers are required to canvass and certify within a set time frame, and the WEC Chairperson is similarly required to complete these duties at the state level.
In the event that an election official refuses to canvass and certify election results, Wisconsin law has several built-in provisions to safeguard the process. Enforcement mechanisms available include a complaint process, a petition for a writ of mandamus, and criminal penalties for officials who do not comply with election law.
No current election official was identified as having opposed certification or as planning to do so. However, given a national movement to undermine certification, we believe it is important to monitor post-vote processes to ensure officials carry out their legally required duties.
Two members of County Boards of Canvassers were identified as supporting efforts to subvert fair administration of elections. Mary Magdalen Moser, a Kenosha County Canvasser, filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Elections Commission seeking a ruling that Kenosha broke the law by working with private corporations to assist with election administration. A press release on the complaint accused the city of participating “in an unlawful scheme to privatize the 2020 elections in order to benefit presidential candidate Joe Biden.” The complaint attacked funding received from the Center for Tech and Civil Life, an organization that granted money to help local governments administer elections during the pandemic, and that has subsequently become the target of election deniers. Kewaunee County Canvasser Ron Heuer serves as president of Wisconsin Voter Alliance, an organization that promoted the Big Lie and sued to overturn Biden’s Wisconsin win. Heuer also worked for Michael Gableman’s sham review of the 2020 elections. Heur’s organization, which was described by the Wisconsin Examiner as “a right-wing election conspiracy group” that has “spent years casting doubt on the results of the 2020 election by alleging fraud,” is currently suing Wisconsin in another election-related case that is being heard by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.