Wisconsin Conservatives Cry Foul in State Supreme Court Election Defeat

Wisconsin conservatives lost a state Supreme Court seat to a liberal just recently, leading to accusations of a rigged vote by Republicans.

Conservative activists claimed to have found an online get-out-in-vote scheme intended to raise Democratic turnout for the progressive candidate by offering gift cards. By the time the conservatives had reviewed the plan, it was too late to make a difference.

Democrats have a history of increasing the turnout of their supporters during elections, particularly in areas that strongly favor their party, using innovative methods such as monitoring absentee ballots and harvesting votes. Some Republicans have debated whether to follow suit.

Despite the left-wing tactics, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz won over conservative Daniel Kelly by a significant margin of 55.5% to 44.5%, securing a four-to-three majority for progressives in Wisconsin’s highest court when she begins her tenure in July.

A complaint filed in early March by a voter and member of the Wisconsin Republican Party accused non-profit organizations Wisconsin Takes Action and the Organizing Empowerment PAC of failing to register as a political action committee, but they maintain their actions were within the boundaries of legal compliance.

The complaint included a Zoom call recording in which progressive activists recruited “mobilizers” and offered a payment of up to $270 in gift cards to anyone willing to make the required contacts to persuade family, friends, and colleagues to vote for progressive ideals and candidates. A trainer’s explanation on the Zoom call mentioned Judge Protasiewicz explicitly, and the results were statistically measured, according to organizers.

While Democrats regarded the gift card promotion as a paid canvassing strategy, Republicans linked it to vote-buying, and Representative Janel Brandtjen (R-Menomonee Falls) went so far as to claim that it violated Wisconsin law. Wisconsin State statute 12/11 makes it a felony to offer or promise valuable objects to anyone to vote, while it is also a penal offense to agree or contract to receive valuables in exchange for refraining from voting or choosing a particular candidate.

In conclusion, Wisconsin conservatives are calling the election in question, while Democrats believe it was valid. Wisconsin Takes Action and the Organizing Empowerment PAC both deny any wrongdoing, and the tactics used were innovative, effective, and legal.