MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin state Supreme Court race is heating up as Republican candidate Brad Schimel raises previously debunked concerns about voting fraud, focusing on the late reporting of ballots in Milwaukee just weeks before the April 1 election.
Schimel, a former attorney general, expressed worries about “bags of ballots” and potential fraud during a recent interview. He is competing against Democrat Susan Crawford, with a crucial majority of the Wisconsin Supreme Court at stake.
In a conversation on WISN-AM, Schimel urged his supporters to ensure high voter turnout to prevent any election integrity issues, saying, “get our votes banked, make this too big to rig so we don’t have to worry that at 11:30 in Milwaukee, they’re going to find bags of ballots that they forgot to put into the machines.”
He referenced past elections, stating that similar issues had arisen in previous cycles, including the close races of 2018 and last November.
Election officials and experts from both parties have previously warned that the timing of ballot reporting in Milwaukee—where absentee ballots are processed separately—could lead to significant surges in Democratic votes, given its status as the state’s most populous city with a strong Democratic leaning.
The late reporting of absentee ballots has historically swung electoral outcomes in favor of Democrats, most notably impacting the 2020 presidential election and igniting unfounded claims of a stolen election.
Milwaukee’s process of counting absentee ballots leads to them being reported all at once, often well after midnight on election day. This delay is attributed to the large volume of ballots that must be counted and state laws that restrict processing until polls open.
In past cases, such as the 2018 gubernatorial election, the late reporting of more than 47,000 absentee ballots played a pivotal role in Democratic victories. Similarly, in November, the reporting of over 108,000 ballots drew surprise as it shifted outcomes in a competitive Senate race.
During his interview, Schimel admitted that he could not confirm any instances of fraud but emphasized the importance of high voter turnout as a safeguard against potential issues at the polls.
While addressing attendees at the Milwaukee Rotary Club, Schimel reiterated that following election rules is vital for integrity, advising voters, “the best way to make sure your vote isn’t stolen: Go use it.”
Despite his vocal concerns, he affirmed, “I will always accept the results of the election.”
In response to Schimel’s statements, Crawford’s spokesperson criticized him for promoting conspiracy theories, describing his comments as unbecoming of a candidate for the state’s high court.
As campaign funding plays a significant role in this race, Schimel has garnered support from various groups, while Crawford is backed by prominent Democratic figures.
With the upcoming election, the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decisions on critical issues such as abortion, voting rights, and district boundaries are highly anticipated, as control of the court may influence future legal challenges in this pivotal battleground state.
