Top election officials in 3 cities, WEC administrator subpoenaed
MILWAUKEE - A Wisconsin election investigation led by former Justice Mike Gableman subpoenas the top election officials from Milwaukee, Racine and Green Bay as well as the state's top election official.
The subpoenas signed by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) demand Green Bay Clerk Celestine Jeffreys, Racine Clerk Tara Coolidge, Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Claire Woodall-Vogg and Wisconsin Elections Commission Administrator Meagan Wolfe appear to provide testimony and documents. The subpoenas, acquired by FOX6, ask them to appear in person on Oct. 15 in Brookfield, Wisconsin and to bring copies or originals of various election communications.
The former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice wants communications between cities and the Wisconsin Elections Commission, as well as documents related to private donations.
The Mark Zuckerberg-funded Center for Tech and Civic Life donated $10 million to more than 200 Wisconsin communities, with most money going to five of the largest cities. It helped Milwaukee buy absentee ballot drop boxes.
Woodall-Vogg says she has no comment about the subpoenas, while Jeffreys told FOX6, "The law department is reviewing the subpoena and will craft a response."
Wolfe says, "We are still analyzing it and do not have any comment at this time."
The same is the case in Racine.
Milwaukee County Clerk George Christenson says he didn't receive a subpoena as part of the election investigation.
Gableman is serving as special counsel, in an investigation launched by Vos.
Gableman released a video last month, outlining his vision for the probe.
"This investigation will be guided by a search for the truth, and not by political priorities," he said. "The burden is not on the people to show in advance of an investigation that public officials and their contractors behaved dishonestly. This is not an election contest. We are not challenging the results of the 2020 election, rather we are holding government officials accountable to the public for their actions surrounding the elections."
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"If I was a clerk I'd be lawyered up and make sure that you're doing the right thing," Evers said Tuesday during a news conference at the World Dairy Expo when asked if clerks should comply with Gableman's probe. "I hate to see an inquisition like this, especially when you're being told you have to prove it was a good election. Everybody knows it was a good election. Everybody knows there was no fraud."
Democratic criticism continued after the subpoenas were issued Friday.
"Republicans continue to lie about the integrity of Wisconsin's elections, and today's news doesn't change that," says Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz (D - Oshkosh). "Mike Gableman is not an honest broker, and this is not an honest review."
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"The purpose of this investigation is to restore public confidence in Wisconsin's electoral system," Gableman said earlier.
"Ensuring the 2020 election was conducted fairly and legally is critically important to maintaining faith in our election system," Vos writes in a statement after signing the subpoenas. "Justice Gableman is dedicated to finding the truth and has determined subpoenas are necessary to move forward in his investigation. Assembly Republicans will continue to work with Justice Gableman to ensure confidence is fully restored in our elections."
Multiple lawsuits and a recount confirmed Joe Biden won Wisconsin by more than 20,000 votes.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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