The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Sept. 20, 2023
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Old habits die hard, especially among election deniers. Last week, the Republican-dominated Wisconsin Senate voted to remove the state’s nonpartisan elections administrator for recommending pandemic voting accommodations in the 2020 election.
We reported in June on the effort not to renew Election Administrator Meagan Wolfe’s term, which expired in July. Wolfe has been vilified by extremists for recommending the mailing of absentee ballots to nursing home residents during the pandemic, rather than putting residents and election officials at risk. The recommendation was approved by bipartisan members of the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Conspiracy theorists claim Wolfe attempted to sway the election results.
When the six-member Commission voted in June to reappoint Wolfe, three Democrats strategically abstained, resulting in a 3-0 vote and short of the required majority, according to the Wisconsin Examiner. A recent state supreme court decision affirmed that such state officials could remain in place until a replacement was confirmed.
Last month, a Senate Committee held a three-hour public hearing on Wolfe’s reappointment, replete with conspiracy theories and accusations, according to the Milwaukee Courier. Then last week, the full Senate voted 22-11 to remove Wolfe, despite not having an official nomination. Governor Tony Evers directed Wisconsin’s Attorney General to sue Senate leaders, claiming the Senate’s removal vote had no legal effect.
For now, Elections Administrator Wolfe remains on the job. We have links to great local reporting at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – June 20, 2023 – Highly-Qualified Election Official’s Job In Jeopardy from Wisconsin Legislators Clinging to Debunked Election Conspiracy Theories
Meagan Wolfe – Letter to Local Wisconsin Election Officials
Milwaukee Courier – Evidence lacking in GOP case against top Wisconsin election official Meagan Wolfe
Associated Press – GOP-led Wisconsin Senate votes to fire nonpartisan official targeted by 2020 election skeptics
Wisconsin Examiner – Embracing election denial, Wisconsin Senate Republicans vote to fire chief election official
Wisconsin Politics – Wolfe on ‘UpFront’ vows to continue serving as elections administrator amid court battle
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause WI, Center for Election Innovation & Research (CEIR), Wisconsin Democracy Campaign,
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