Specter of vote fraud investigation hangs over process
Republican State Sen. Van Wanggaard has requested a recount of the ballots in the June 5 recall election – a race he lost to Democratic challenger John Lehman by 834 votes.
In a statement sent to media Friday morning, Wanggaard said he had a single goal behind his request – ensure public confidence in the election process.
“Everyone, even those who voted for my opponent, should want to end the schisms caused by the recalls,” Wanggaard said. “I hope that a trusted and verified result of the election will finally allow us to move forward.”
The recount request comes a day after Racine County Sheriff’s Department officials announced they are investigating alleged voting irregularities at two inner city Racine polling places. The allegations are based on citizen complaints and the investigation was launched at the request of Racine County District Attorney Richard Chiapete.
Wanggaard said he was urged unanimously by his supporters to seek the recount.
“Overwhelmingly, and for a variety of reasons, they believe their votes were disenfranchised on election night. And they are asking for a recount,” he said.
However, Scott Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, called the request a tactic meant to delay Lehman from being sworn in. He also attempted to discredit the voter fraud investigation, saying Chiapete contributed to Wanggaard’s campaign and Sheriff Christopher Schmaling also supports the Republican Party.
“Local officials with glaring conflicts of interest and cozy relationships with the losing candidate conducting ‘investigations’ of high minority voting population polling places that voted overwhelmingly against them looks a lot more like the Jim Crow-era South than modern day Wisconsin,” Ross said.
He called for Chiapete and Schmaling to recuse themselves from the investigation.
Wanggaard rejected accusations of delay tactics.
“Like many of you, I too want to move on from the bitterness that has divided this state as a result of the recall elections,” he said. “This is not about maintaining power or denying Democrats power. There are no ‘secret plans’ for a special legislative session during this recount, and no votes scheduled.”
The balance of power in the state Senate teeters on the official outcome of this election. If Lehman’s victory is upheld, the Democrats will hold a one-vote majority in the upper house.
A complete copy of Wanggaard’s recall request statement is posted below:
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