MADISON, Wisconsin – In a significant decision, a judge ruled that Meagan Wolfe, Wisconsin’s top election official, can remain in her position despite a previous attempt by Republican state Senators to remove her. Dane County Circuit Judge Ann Peacock declared that the vote last year to oust Wolfe had “no legal effect.” This ruling comes after months of contention and legal battles between Wolfe and state Republican legislators.
The dispute began in June when the state’s bipartisan elections commission, consisting of three Democrats and three Republicans, was deadlocked on a vote to reappoint Wolfe. Subsequently, the Wisconsin Senate voted 22-11 along party lines to remove Wolfe from her post, citing dissatisfaction with her handling of the 2020 election. Former President Donald Trump and his GOP allies had made unsubstantiated claims of election fraud in an attempt to overturn President Joe Biden’s narrow victory in the state.
Following the Senate vote, Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul filed a lawsuit, arguing that there were no legal grounds for firing Wolfe and asserting that she would remain in her role. Kaul hailed the judge’s decision as a “resounding victory for fair and impartial election administration and the rule of law.”
Lawyers representing Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu and Senator Kapenga admitted in a court filing that the vote to remove Wolfe was symbolic, meant to express disapproval of her performance. This admission, coupled with the lack of transparency surrounding the Senate’s intentions, led Judge Peacock to issue a permanent injunction, asserting that the Legislature’s actions were unlawful.
In response to the ruling, Wolfe expressed hope that it would put an end to partisan attempts to target nonpartisan election officials and fabricate reasons to disrupt Wisconsin elections. This decision underscores the importance of fair and impartial election administration, ensuring the integrity of the democratic process.
In summary, Judge Ann Peacock has ruled that Meagan Wolfe, Wisconsin’s top election official, can remain in her position, invalidating a previous vote by Republican state Senators to remove her. Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul argued successfully that there were no legal grounds for firing Wolfe, leading to the judge’s decision. This ruling serves as a victory for fair and impartial election administration and emphasizes the need to uphold the rule of law in Wisconsin’s electoral processes.