Wisconsin Elections Commission Loses Federal Funding

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has dealt a significant blow to the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC), announcing on June 4th that it will withhold federal funding due to the commission’s failure to comply with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

HAVA mandates that states implement a system for handling voter complaints regarding election law violations. This system is a prerequisite for receiving federal funding. However, the DOJ claims the WEC has failed to meet this requirement.

In a letter to the WEC, DOJ officials expressed their surprise at the commission’s refusal to establish an administrative complaint process for handling HAVA-related complaints. The commission’s stance, according to the DOJ, is based on a 2022 court case, citing an inability to effectively police itself.

This decision highlights a major conflict between federal regulations and the WEC’s current operational procedures, leaving the commission facing a potential funding shortfall and raising significant questions about election administration in the state. The implications of this funding cut remain to be seen, but it’s certain to spark intense debate and scrutiny of the WEC’s practices.