Wisconsin’s Top Elections Official Faces Controversy with Potential Impact on 2024

The battle over the future of Wisconsin’s top elections official carries significant implications for the upcoming 2024 presidential contest in a state known for its closely contested races.

Meagan Wolfe, the nonpartisan administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, has become a target of conspiracy theorists who falsely allege her involvement in a plan to manipulate the 2020 election results, securing President Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump in Wisconsin.

Republicans, who hold the majority in the state Legislature, have demanded Wolfe’s resignation based on their criticisms of how she managed the 2020 election. Despite numerous reports and reviews confirming the fairness and accuracy of the election, Democratic election commissioners are working to retain Wolfe in her position beyond the expiration of her term on Saturday, circumventing lawmakers.

In addition to unresolved legal questions, both sides present arguments that may take months to resolve through the court system.

Meanwhile, experts warn of the high stakes involved in a fiercely contested presidential election where election officials and workers continue to face relentless pressure, harassment, and threats stemming from the 2020 election.

Kevin Kennedy, the former top elections official for Wisconsin, expressed concern about the influence of conspiracy theorists, stating, “The conspiracy theorists are going to jump at anything.” Kennedy emphasized that despite discrediting their claims, a significant number of people have bought into the false narratives, which in turn affects the decisions made by senators regarding Wolfe’s reappointment.

If the dispute over Wolfe’s position as administrator remains unresolved into the next year, it could give rise to legal challenges against the guidance she provides to local clerks. While Wolfe’s authority is limited to implementing decisions made by the bipartisan commission, she has borne the brunt of the blame for the commission’s actions in 2020.

President Biden won Wisconsin by a margin of nearly 21,000 votes, a result that has withstood multiple recounts, audits, and reviews, all of which confirmed the absence of widespread fraud. Nevertheless, skeptics of the election continue to make false requests for ballots and mount campaigns for statewide office based on unfounded claims.

The recent vote on Wolfe’s reappointment ended in a partisan deadlock when the state’s six election commissioners, evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, failed to reach a majority decision. While all three Republicans voted for her reappointment, the three Democratic commissioners abstained, aiming to prevent Wolfe’s nomination from reaching the Republican-controlled state Senate for confirmation.

Senate Republicans attempted to proceed with a vote, defying Democrats who argued that such action would be illegal. State law requires four votes on the commission before a nomination can proceed to the Legislature. Democrats referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling that seemingly allows Wolfe to continue serving as administrator even after her term ends, but rejection by the Senate would effectively terminate her employment. Republicans have used the court’s ruling to extend the terms of their appointees on state boards.

Don Millis, the Republican chair of the elections commission, cautioned against adopting the same approach for Wolfe, asserting that doing so would create problems for election officials statewide. Millis emphasized the importance of timely Senate confirmation, claiming there are other qualified individuals capable of overseeing elections besides Wolfe.

However, not everyone shares Millis’ perspective. Kathy Bernier, a former Republican state senator and county election official who chaired the Senate elections committee during the 2020 election, expressed her doubts, stating, “I don’t think they’re going to find anyone as knowledgeable and educated with Wisconsin elections law as she is.” Bernier believes that the targeting of Wolfe is an attempt to create a scapegoat.

Wolfe is just one of many state and local election officials who have faced targeted harassment and death threats since the 2020 election. They have encountered demands for access to voting machines and records, even when such requests are unfounded. Elected officials have also called for changes to election processes, contributing to a hostile environment.

The Center for Election Innovation and Research, which provides free legal support to election officials, has seen an increase in requests for assistance, underscoring the enduring impact of false claims surrounding the previous presidential election. Some election workers have left their positions, resulting in concerns about a lack of experienced personnel and the potential for incoming officials to introduce partisan practices that undermine the electoral process.

In Wisconsin, the uncertain fate of the election director raises these concerns. If Wolfe’s reappointment is rejected by the Senate, the commission would have 45 days to select a new appointee before a Republican-controlled legislative committee could appoint an interim administrator.

The potential presence of inexperienced election officials, even if they are doing their best, could lead to minor issues that detractors of the election process could exploit to cast doubt and incite violence.

This article was written by Harm Venhuizen, a corps member for the Big Big News/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. You can follow Harm on Twitter.

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More about election controversy

• Wisconsin Elections Commission
• Wisconsin State Legislature
• Center for Election Innovation and Research
• Supreme Court of the United States
• Report for America
• Nonpartisan Audit of Wisconsin’s 2020 Election
• Review of Wisconsin’s 2020 Election by Conservative Law Firm
• Republican-Ordered Review of Wisconsin’s 2020 Election
• Challenges to Wisconsin’s 2020 Election Results
• Conspiracy Theories Surrounding Wisconsin’s Election
• Threats and Harassment Faced by Election Officials
• Wisconsin’s Role as a Battleground State