In Madison, Wisconsin, the ongoing state Supreme Court race has been stirred by Brad Schimel, a candidate supported by the Republican party, who has expressed revived concerns over voting fraud amidst the anticipation of late ballot reporting in Milwaukee just before the April 1 election.
Schimel, who previously served as the state’s attorney general, highlighted the potential for “bags of ballots” and fraudulent activity during a recent appearance on a conservative radio show. He is competing against Democrat-supported Susan Crawford in a race that will determine the majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Speaking on WISN-AM, Schimel urged his backers to ensure a decisive victory, emphasizing the need to secure enough votes to prevent any manipulation, citing instances in past elections where late ballot reports from Milwaukee appeared to change the outcome. He recalled 2018 and more recent elections, referencing an occasion involving U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde, where sudden updates from Milwaukee County allegedly altered the lead.
Efforts to address the anticipated tardy reports of absentee ballots were made already, with warnings from both political sides and electoral leaders. Milwaukee’s absentee ballots, counted centrally and reported collectively, often lead to significant late shifts favoring Democrats in the heavily populated and Democratic-friendly city. In 2020, similar circumstances momentously contributed to turning the tide in favor of then-presidential candidate Joe Biden.
The delays are attributed to procedural constraints, as state law prohibits processing absentee votes before the polls open, despite repeated calls for legislative changes. Last year, a bipartisan proposal to reform this was stopped in its tracks by the Republican-led state Senate. Although Republicans routinely criticize the extended ballot processing times in Milwaukee, they have yet to pass measures to address it more efficiently.
In past elections, such as in 2018, late-night reporting of absentee ballots significantly shifted the tide, favoring Democrat Tony Evers over then-Governor Scott Walker. Similarly, late reporting in November surprised Eric Hovde after additional ballots turned the election toward his opponent, Senator Tammy Baldwin. Despite expressing doubt, Schimel admitted he lacks definitive evidence of misconduct but insisted on robust voter turnout as a safeguard against potential fraud.
Questioned further about his stance, Schimel emphasized the importance of adherence to election rules and active participation in voting to ensure integrity. While voicing concerns, he reiterated his commitment to accept the election results. Crawford’s campaign, however, responded critically, accusing Schimel of entertaining conspiracy theories to appeal to allies like Elon Musk, whose funding has substantially bolstered his campaign. Meanwhile, Crawford is supported by wealthy Democrats such as George Soros and J.B. Pritzker.
Schimel’s remarks faced objection from the Democracy Defense Project, which involves former officials, including ex-Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen. The organization refuted the fraud claims, pointing to procedural delays in absentee ballot processing as the root of speculation. The outcome of the upcoming election bears considerable weight, considering the court’s pending involvement in critical cases concerning abortion rights, voting regulations, public sector unions, and district boundaries. The current 4-3 liberal majority is at risk, intensifying the electoral stakes.
