This week a third formal complaint was filed with the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) by former Milwaukee County Supervisor 4th District candidate Andrea Rodriguez-Strock.
The WEC administers and enforces Wisconsin elections law, and is made up of six members. Four are appointed by four state legislative leaders and two are appointed by the Governor.
The members of the WEC are: Ann S. Jacobs (D-Chair), Marge Bostelmann (R), Julie M. Glancey (D), Dean Knudson (R), Robert F. Spindell, Jr. (R) and Mark L. Thomsen (D).
In 2016, the WEC replaced the Governmental Accounting Board (GAB) to administer elections and the Wisconsin Ethics Commission to administer campaign finance, ethics and lobbying law.
The Complaint
Click here to view a copy of the actual complaint filed with the WEC.
The complaint alleges that during the April 7th 2020 Spring Primary Election, the City of Milwaukee Election Commission (MEC) distributed a Spanish language absentee ballot with instructions that contained the wrong election date.
In addition, Milwaukee residents dealt with additional confusion when residents of Milwaukee Aldermanic District 8 on the south side were forced to go to Hamilton High School after many requested absentee ballots that never arrived.
Both of these allegations are clear violations of State of Wisconsin Elections Laws, specifically Wisconsin election law statutes 12.05 False representations affecting elections and 6.86(1)1 Obtaining ballot by mail.
The allegations are supported by a February 4th memo from the Election Commission sent to Spanish-speaking voters admitting the inaccurate election date. According to the complaint, confusion had already begun and the memo was not well spread throughout Milwaukee’s Spanish-speaking community.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission Response
The WEC has acknowledged receipt of the complaint. The complaint points out that a local election official did not properly follow an election law under Wis. Stat. s. 5.06. MEC Executive Director Neil Albrecht and Chair Commissioner Stephanie Findley will be provided the complaint and have been given an opportunity to provide a response to the allegation. After a response is received, the complainant Andrea Rodriguez-Strock is allowed to file a reply. After all allowable filings have been made, the WEC will review the submissions and issue a decision.
Expect more complaints to be filed with the WEC and other election and civil rights agencies regarding Mayor Tom Barrett and his administrations voter suppression action during the April 7th Spring General Election.
