Fallout continues over Wolfe's future as Wisconsin's top election official

 

MADISON Wis. (CBS 58) -- The political fallout over whether the state's chief election officer will keep her job ahead of the 2024 election continued Thursday as Assembly Speaker Robin Vos defended the Senate, moving forth with an effort that could remove her from office, a move Democrats say is illegal.

Republicans' attempt to push out Meagan Wolfe, the administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, may come to a head soon after Senate Republicans voted on a resolution to begin confirmation hearings. The resolution declares Wolfe as the administrator, even though she was never nominated by the commission to serve another four-year term.

Democratic commissioner Ann Jacobs says Republicans' actions are unlawful.

"Why do they think the law doesn't apply to them in this situation? It does," Jacobs said. "It's crystal clear. It's written down and they are ignoring it with this fixation they have to remove Meagan Wolfe and that's really unfortunate."

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu disputes that and he said he interprets the law differently. Speaker Robin Vos said he's "not an attorney" but trusts LeMahieu made the right decision to put Wolfe through public hearings before the Senate can vote on her confirmation.

"I think there are more than ample people who can do a great job running elections," Vos said. "I think the focus that only one person can do that job isn't being honest with the public."

Jacobs predicts a lawsuit will settle the dispute about Wolfe's fate.

"Everything WEC has done in recent years has resulted in a court case, so I'm assuming that will happen here," said Jacobs.

Wolfe received praise from all six members of the bipartisan commission earlier this week despite the bipartisan commission being unable to reach a consensus on reappointing her. Three Republicans voted in favor of Wolfe's reappointment, while Democrats abstained.

It was an attempt by Democrats to keep Wolfe in the role after her term expires July 1. They noted a recent state Supreme Court case that allows an appointee to continue serving in their position until a replacement or vacancy occurs.

Vos said Democrats' decision to not vote on Wolfe's second term was "shenanigans" to "prevent the will of the people."

Starting the confirmation process would ultimately allow Senate Republicans to reject her nomination, essentially firing her months before the 2024 elections.

"If for some reason Meagan Wolfe isn't confirmed, someone else will step up, will still have secure elections, and we'll have an election we can all have confidence in," Vos said.

Since 2020, Republicans have been furious with Wolfe largely over false election claims spread by former President Donald Trump as well as policies commissioners, not Wolfe, put forth to manage an election during the pandemic such as installing ballot drop boxes and sending absentee ballots to all voters.

Wolfe does not have a vote on issues considered by the commission.

"We do need someone strong to fight against not only the accusations against her, but the accusations against our voting system," Jacobs said. "We're going to be under a lot of scrutiny in 2024 and we need to be prepared for that and she's the person to do that."