Trump DOJ Warns WI Elections Regulator To Stop Breaking The Law

The U.S. Department of Justice is warning the Wisconsin Elections Commission that it is violating federal law, and the state regulator could pay a hefty price.

In a letter sent Wednesday to the WEC, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon asserts the agency has failed to follow key provisions of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). The letter notes the controversial commission has no real means of policing itself.

“Quite surprisingly, we have learned that the Wisconsin Elections Commission has refused to provide any administrative complaint process or hearing regarding HAVA complaints against the Commission. Rather, Wisconsin has decided to rely on a 2022 state [Supreme] court case opining that the Commission cannot police itself,” the letter states.

HAVA is clear. It requires each state to have an administrative complaint giving voters the ability to file a HAVA violation complaint that they see or experience while voting. States must meet the requirement in order to receive federal funding under HAVA.

But the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision complicated matters. The ruling by the conservative-led court at the time found the use of widespread absentee ballot drop boxes against the law but it also ended the process of WEC — or outside counsel for WEC — investigating itself. But that change would seem to stand in conflict with HAVA law, according to the Justice Department. (Read more from “Trump DOJ Warns WI Elections Regulator To Stop Breaking The Law” HERE)

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