Wisconsin Department of Justice Recalls Laws Protecting Fair Elections

MADISON, Wis. (WSAW) – Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul is reminding people that voter intimidation and threats against election workers are against the law.

“It is essential that we protect the right to vote,” said AG Kaul. “The Wisconsin DOJ is committed to ensuring that Wisconsin once again conducts safe and secure elections.

The Wisconsin State Intelligence Center facilitates the sharing of intelligence and information on potential threats with federal, state and local law enforcement and election administrators throughout Wisconsin and will continue to do so through Election Day . WSIC works closely with its partners to collect, receive, analyze and disseminate intelligence on various types of threats to Wisconsin’s elections, including, but not limited to, threats against election administrators or the electoral interference, foreign or domestic.

The Wisconsin DOJ is a resource available to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, law enforcement, and district attorneys. The Wisconsin DOJ will communicate with law enforcement and prosecutors regarding relevant election laws.

Voter intimidation and threats against election officials

Voter intimidation is a crime. Wisconsin law prohibits anyone from using or threatening force to coerce someone from voting, to prevent them from voting, or to influence their decision to vote. Wisconsin law also prohibits anyone from using coercion or fraud to prevent or prevent someone from freely exercising their right to vote.

Threatening behavior toward election officials is also a crime. Wisconsin law prohibits anyone from threatening death or bodily harm with the intent to cause, or creating an unreasonable and substantial risk of causing, public panic or fear, or interruption or disruption of operations. government, including the electoral process.

Wisconsin law also prohibits anyone from refusing to obey a lawful order from a polling place inspector, engaging in disorderly conduct in or near a polling place, or interrupting or disrupt voting or canvassing procedures.

The law not only prohibits individuals from personally undertaking any of these actions, but it also prohibits individuals from requesting a third party to undertake these actions.

Unlawful intimidation can take many forms, and determining whether a particular action is criminal depends on the facts of the incident. Examples could include:

• Verbal threats of violence;
• Confronting voters or election officials while wearing military-style or official-looking uniforms;
• Brandishing or displaying firearms in an intimidating or threatening manner in or near a polling place;
• Aggressively approach voters’ cars or write down license plate numbers;
• Track voters to, from or within polling stations;
• Appearing to patrol or monitor the voting line while armed;
• Behaving disorderly in or near a polling place; Or
• Preventing access to a polling station by making threats or engaging in intimidating behavior.

Additionally, it is illegal under state and federal law for private groups to conduct law enforcement or military activities.

What to do if you witness voter intimidation or threats against election workers:

If you witness or experience election intimidation or threats, alert an election official and call local law enforcement immediately. If you are threatened with violence, call 911.

Copyright 2024 WSAW. All rights reserved.