Dem bill would bar Wisconsin’s fake electors from serving as election officials

A Democratic proposal would prevent the 10 Wisconsin Republicans who cast false Electoral College votes for former President Donald Trump after the 2020 election from serving as election officials. 

The proposal from Rep. Kalan Haywood (D-Milwaukee) and Sen. Diane Hesselbein (D-Middleton) is currently circulating for co-sponsorship. The legislation would disqualify sitting Wisconsin Elections Commissioner Robert Spindell, who joined the false elector effort. 

“​​By refusing to accept the results of the 2020 Presidential Election, the individuals pledged to the losing candidate chose their political preference over the voice of the people. Their disregard for our democratic institutions jeopardized the peaceful transition of power that has protected American Democracy for generations,” the proposal’s co-sponsorship memo states. “Individuals that put partisan power over democracy cannot be allowed to serve in positions that protect democratic integrity. This bill would ensure that individuals that attempt to submit false Electoral College votes are disqualified from serving in vitally important positions of election administration, especially the Wisconsin Elections Commission.  In short, this bill helps ensure that there is no place in our election administration for those who have sought to upend democracy.”  

Spindell was a vocal participant in efforts following the 2020 election to cast doubt on the results and has since ignored calls for his resignation as an elections commissioner. 

Late last year, the 10 false electors settled a lawsuit against them from a voting rights focused law firm. As part of the settlement, the electors agreed not to serve as presidential electors in any election in which Trump is on the ballot and made a public statement that President Joe Biden had in fact won Wisconsin in 2020. 

Two attorneys who coordinated the scheme in Wisconsin and worked to spread it to a number of other states across the country also recently settled a lawsuit against them. 

Even though the bill is circulating for co-sponsorship it has practically zero chance of passing this legislative session as both chambers are controlled by Republicans and  have already adjourned for the rest of the year.