Proposals to change Wisconsin’s voting system could determine how one of America’s top swing states picks congressional candidates, how it awards its 10 Electoral College votes, how fast results can be announced and who can use the increasingly popular method of absentee voting.
Since Election Day, no evidence of widespread voter fraud has emerged in Wisconsin — or anyother state. But politicians, propagandists and social media influencers have sought to undermine the results of the presidential election in Wisconsin before and after Nov. 3. With President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration set for Jan. 20, mistrust of the electoral system has continued festering despite a recount in Dane and Milwaukee counties that detected no signs of malfeasance — and added to Biden’s lead by 87 votes. The former vice president won the state by more than 20,000 votes.
Every January across Wisconsin, some towns and villages hold timehonored, in-person caucuses to nominate candidates for local offices. Residents gather in town or village halls, schools and other community spaces to vote, orally or on slips of paper, for candidates in races for positions such as supervisor, treasurer and clerk. It’s a practice guided by state law and rooted in tradition. But after the COVID-19 outbreak brought upheaval to the state’s 2020 primary and general elections, the unique structure of January caucuses now raises questions about balancing inclusion and transparency with safety concerns.