Wisconsin Elections Commission
Coverage of Wisconsin Elections Commission in the Nexus archive.
- Wisconsin Democrats want to allow absentee voters to cast a new primary ballot
Wisconsin Democrats request voters who cast absentee ballots in the governor's primary be allowed to vote again due to candidates dropping out and re-entering the race. Over 80,000 ballots have already been returned, and the request is expected to lead to a lawsuit ahead of the Aug. 11 primary.
- Wisconsin Democrats want to allow absentee voters to cast a new primary ballot
Wisconsin Democrats are requesting that voters who cast absentee ballots in the governor's primary be allowed to vote again due to multiple candidates dropping out and re-entering the race. Over 80,000 absentee ballots have already been returned, and the request is expected to lead to a lawsuit ahead of the August 11 primary.
- Wisconsin Democrats push elections commission to rescind guidance on absentee ballot revotes
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin has requested the Wisconsin Elections Commission to retract guidance limiting voters from changing absentee ballots if their preferred candidate withdraws. The guidance, issued July 9, states that a candidate's withdrawal is not sufficient reason for a new ballot, contradicting prior state law and legal precedents. Over 80,000 absentee ballots have already been returned ahead of the Aug. 11 primary.
- Elon Musk likely broke the law by promising voters $1 million payouts, Wisconsin board says
Elon Musk likely violated Wisconsin law by offering $1 million to voters in the 2025 state Supreme Court election, prompting a bipartisan elections commission to refer complaints to prosecutors. The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign has filed a lawsuit against Musk over cash payments in the race, which was the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history.
- Elon Musk’s $1 million offers to voters in Wisconsin election were probably illegal bribes, bipartisan panel rules
Elon Musk offered $1 million checks to voters in the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court election, which a bipartisan panel found likely violated state anti-bribery laws. The Wisconsin Elections Commission referred complaints to the Brown County district attorney’s office, which may pursue criminal charges. Prosecutors have 40 days to decide on next steps.
- State board: Musk may have broken election law by offering $1M checks to voters
The Wisconsin Elections Commission found billionaire Elon Musk may have violated the state's election bribery law by offering $1 million checks to voters during an election last year.
- Elon Musk likely broke law with $1 million voter checks, Elections Commission says
Elon Musk gave $1 million checks to voters ahead of the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court election, and the state elections commission alleges this violated election bribery laws. The commission referred the case to the Brown County District Attorney’s Office, which has 40 days to decide on charges. Musk's America PAC also offered $100 to those signing a petition against 'activist judges.'
- Elections Commission orders investigation of Green Bay duplicate absentee ballots
The Wisconsin Elections Commission ordered an investigation into Green Bay’s city clerk for mailing duplicate absentee ballots to voters in two consecutive elections. At least 152 voters received duplicate ballots in the spring election, followed by 244 additional duplicates in the August primary. The Republican Party of Wisconsin filed a complaint, and the commission’s staff found probable cause of a state election law violation.
- Wisconsin officials, voting rights advocates address fears about election security
Wisconsin officials and voting rights advocates address growing concerns about election security, citing recent polling showing 30% of voters lack confidence in accurate election conduct. Republican efforts, including voting restrictions and federal investigations, alongside President Donald Trump's actions, have fueled fears of election interference, though advocates caution that some concerns may be exaggerated.
- Wisconsin officials, voting rights advocates address fears about election security
Wisconsin officials and voting rights advocates address concerns about election security amid fears of political interference and misinformation. A poll indicates 30% of Wisconsin voters lack confidence in the accuracy of this year’s elections. U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a presumptive Republican nominee for governor, has been linked to election conspiracy theories, while President Donald Trump's actions, including sending FBI agents to investigate the 2020 election, have fueled public anxiety.
- Wisconsin, outside groups urge appeals court to reject US demand for state’s voter list
The Wisconsin Department of Justice and the Wisconsin Elections Commission oppose the U.S. Department of Justice's request for unredacted voter lists, arguing the federal agency lacks authority under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and Help America Vote Act (HAVA). The U.S. DOJ appeals a lower court's dismissal of its demand, claiming the list is needed to investigate potential ineligible voters receiving absentee ballots.
- Elections Commission grants ballot access to 7th CD candidates
The Wisconsin Elections Commission approved ballot access for four candidates, including three running to replace U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany in the 7th Congressional District. Nominating signatures for Democrat Fred Clark and Republicans Michael Alfonso and Kevin Hermening were challenged by Jessi Ebben, a Republican primary candidate. The commission also approved signatures for Jon Aleckson in the 50th Assembly District after challenges from Morgan Hess.
- Elections commission hears challenges to candidates’ ballot access
The Wisconsin Elections Commission met to address challenges against candidates' ballot access, largely rejecting the challenges and approving most candidates. Challenges were sometimes filed by opponents or political parties to disqualify candidates, with one successful challenge against Republican Veronica Diaz due to invalid signatures and paperwork. The Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee filed and withdrew a challenge against Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, while another challenge against Russell Goodwin was dismissed.
- Some high-profile election hopefuls fall short of ballot requirements
In Wisconsin's upcoming elections, some candidates failed to meet signature requirements for ballot access. Kirk Bangstad and Brett Hulsey did not collect sufficient signatures, while others like Tom Tiffany and Andy Manske met the thresholds. The Wisconsin Elections Commission will review challenges and certify candidates by June 9.
- Federal judge denies U.S. DOJ attempt to obtain Wisconsin voter data
A federal judge denied the U.S. Department of Justice's request for Wisconsin's unredacted voter rolls, citing privacy laws and the Civil Rights Act. The ruling blocks the Trump administration's effort to obtain sensitive voter data from swing states, with similar lawsuits dismissed in eight other courts. The Wisconsin Elections Commission had already rejected the DOJ's request, directing it to publicly available redacted data.
- The FBI is contacting Wisconsin election officials. Here’s what we know.
The FBI has contacted multiple current and former election officials in Wisconsin, including Robert Kehoe and Michelle Hawley, regarding the 2020 election. Milwaukee County retains ballots from that election, which contain identifying information, and officials are preparing for potential subpoenas. The FBI's approach to contacting officials at their homes has drawn criticism from Milwaukee County Clerk George Christensen.