Why are Wisconsin Republicans pushing to oust top elections official?
Republican Lawmakers in Wisconsin Seek to Remove Nonpartisan Elections Official
Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin are making a push to oust the state’s nonpartisan top elections official, a move that could have significant implications for the battleground state’s election rules leading up to the 2024 cycle.
The long-standing battle to remove Wisconsin Elections Administrator Meagan Wolfe reached a tipping point earlier this year when state Senate Republicans voted to fire her. This decision came after the bipartisan elections commission, consisting of three Democrats and three Republicans, deadlocked on a vote to reappoint her. The vote to remove Wolfe from her post was split along party lines, with Republicans voting 22-11 in favor of her removal on September 14. This move was fueled by dissatisfaction within the Wisconsin GOP over the 2020 election.
During a press conference held after the vote, Wolfe expressed her disbelief that debunked claims about the election system still seemed to be influencing decisions. She has been a target for Republicans since former President Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election, where he and his GOP allies attempted to undermine the results in Wisconsin, a state narrowly won by President Joe Biden.
One of the main accusations against Wolfe is her alleged allowance of “illegal drop boxes” that were widely used during the 2020 election due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling even recommended charges against the election commissioners, claiming that voting in nursing homes was carried out illegally. In late 2021, Republican state Senate President Chris Kapenga called for Wolfe’s resignation, along with the resignation of all six other commissioners.
Under state law, municipal clerks are required to appoint Special Voting Deputies to nursing homes to assist residents with filling out ballots. If two attempted visits are made, the deputies can mail absentee ballots to the residents. However, due to the pandemic, Governor Tony Evers limited nursing facility access to essential personnel only. Before the 2020 primary, Wolfe recommended changes to the rule, advocating for mail-in ballots. The commission unanimously approved these changes and renewed them for the November 2020 general election.
Following the state Senate Republicans’ vote to fire Wolfe, Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul filed a lawsuit, asserting that there were no legal grounds for her termination and stating that she would remain in her role.
“The Senate’s action today, where they claimed to have voted on an appointment that was not before them, has no legal effect whatsoever,” Kaul said. “So, she remains the administrator. The court, I’m very confident, will confirm that, but once we get that confirmation hopefully that will end any uncertainty about this.”
Attorneys representing Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, and Kapenga argued in court filings that the fall vote was symbolic and meant to express disapproval of Wolfe’s performance. Dane County Circuit Court Judge Ann Peacock ruled that the state Senate vote had no legal effect and that Wolfe could continue serving as the head of the commission.
Vos acknowledged the court’s ruling and stated that they would have to wait for the court process to unfold. However, in September, five Republican Assembly members introduced a motion to impeach Wolfe. This motion was led by GOP state Representatives Janel Brandtjen, Scott Allen, Elijah Behnke, Ty Bodden, and Chuck Wichgers.
In an attempt to pressure Vos, a group of election deniers launched an ad campaign threatening to remove him from office unless he allowed the impeachment articles to move forward. Vos initially resisted the idea of impeachment, suggesting that lawmakers should appoint a replacement if the court ruled there was a vacancy. However, he eventually referred the 15 articles of impeachment to the Assembly Committee on Government Accountability and Oversight in November.
“The people running these ads are obviously from out-of-state since anyone living in Wisconsin would know of recent events,” Vos said, dismissing the ads as uninformed.
Kapenga stated that the next steps in the impeachment process for Wolfe would be determined by Vos, as the Senate cannot take action until an Assembly hearing and vote are held.
“Speaker Vos has referred an Assembly impeachment resolution to an Assembly committee, which some believe was intended to end any further action. I hope that’s not the case,” Kapenga told the Washington Examiner. ”Under the Senate’s authority to approve or reject non-political appointed positions like this, we rejected her reappointment. It’s critical for Wisconsin voters to know the upcoming 2024 elections will be overseen by an unbiased state official.”
In another effort to reshape the state’s election landscape, Republicans on the Senate’s elections committee voted against confirming Democratic Commissioner Joseph Czarnezki, who was appointed by Governor Evers in May. Czarnezki had abstained from voting to reappoint Wolfe in June, and his nomination is awaiting a vote by the full state Senate.
For now, Wolfe will continue to serve as the state’s top election officer.
Click here to read more from the Washington Examiner.
What potential impacts will the outcome of the battle over Meagan Wolfe’s position have on Wisconsin’s election rules leading up to the 2024 cycle, and how might these changes favor Republicans
Group of Republican activists started a recall effort against him. The activists claim that Vos has not done enough to remove Wolfe from her position. Vos has expressed his support for the recall effort, stating that the decision to remove Wolfe should be made by the voters in his district.
The push to remove Wolfe is part of a larger effort by Republicans to tighten election rules in Wisconsin. They argue that the changes are necessary to ensure the integrity of the state’s elections. However, critics argue that these changes will disproportionately impact marginalized communities and make it harder for them to vote.
The battle over Wolfe’s position is likely to continue in the coming months. Supporters of Wolfe have expressed their commitment to defending her and the nonpartisan nature of the position. They argue that the attempts to remove her are simply a partisan power grab and an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the state’s election process.
The outcome of this battle will have significant implications for Wisconsin’s election rules leading up to the 2024 cycle. If Wolfe is removed, it is likely that the state’s election rules will be changed in ways that benefit Republicans. This could have a major impact on the outcome of future elections in the state.
It is crucial that the public remains informed about these developments and pays attention to the attempts to remove nonpartisan officials like Wolfe. The integrity of our democratic processes depends on the ability of nonpartisan officials to carry out their duties free from political interference.
It is also important for the public to stay engaged and participate in the democratic process. Elections have consequences, and it is up to the voters to hold their elected officials accountable for their actions. By staying informed, speaking out, and voting, we can ensure that our elections remain fair and free from partisan influence.
In conclusion, the attempts by Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin to remove the nonpartisan elections official, Meagan Wolfe, have significant implications for the state’s election rules and the integrity of its democratic processes. It is crucial for the public to stay informed, engaged, and participate in the democratic process to safeguard our elections.
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