Wisconsin
Wisconsin doesn’t need Trump running our elections | Opinion
Wisconsin elections should be run by the citizens of Wisconsin, not bureaucrats in Washington who have no stake in our communities.
Trump calls on Republicans to ‘nationalize’ elections on podcast
In an appearance on The Dan Bongino Show, President Donald Trump called on Republicans to seize control of elections from the states.
Finding an issue on which Republicans and Democrats agree is a rare feat in recent years. But we saw a moment of unity recently when President Trump threatened the sovereignty of Wisconsin and other states by suggesting the federal government should take control of our elections.
The Constitution reserves the right to administer elections to the states, rather than delegate that power to the federal government in the 10th amendment. Wisconsin elections should be run by the citizens of Wisconsin, not bureaucrats in Washington who have no stake in our communities, our values or what makes our state unique. We are no stranger to close elections, over multiple election cycles we have repeatedly elected both Republicans and Democrats statewide. And Wisconsin has voted for the eventual presidential winner in every election since 2008.
Simply put, Wisconsin is a bellwether for a nation that has become increasingly divided. Why? Because Wisconsinites value independence. We value neighbors who dedicate their time to public service. And we vote for what we believe is best for our state and our country, not simply to uphold a party line.
Our election system reflects that same streak of independence.
Wisconsin elections are safe and decentralized
Wisconsin’s elections are among the most decentralized in the nation. With thousands of units of local government, more than 1,800 municipal clerks and 72 counties, our state has deliberately built a system that keeps election administration close to home. This ensures local leaders, your neighbors and members of your community, are the ones making sure your ballot is counted, protected and secure.
That isn’t a weakness. It is a strength.
That commitment to local control and fair play is why we serve on the Wisconsin board of the Democracy Defense Project. DDP is a bipartisan organization dedicated to defending free and fair elections and restoring trust in democracy. Our board doesn’t always agree on policy, but we agree on the fundamental rules of the game. We believe in calling balls and strikes, standing up for election integrity and defending the local officials who administer our elections.
Now imagine the chaos if Washington attempted to assume that responsibility, not just in Wisconsin, but across multiple states with completely different election laws.
The federal government would suddenly be responsible for managing a patchwork of rules: voter registration requirements, ballot deadlines, absentee voting procedures, postmark standards, voting equipment protocols and security regulations, all of which vary from state to state. Instead of elections being administered by experienced local officials who understand their communities, decisions would be made by distant federal agencies unfamiliar with the realities on the ground.
Every law governing Wisconsin elections was passed by a Wisconsin legislature, signed by a Wisconsin governor and implemented by Wisconsin residents. This is the system Wisconsinites have chosen over our state’s 178-year history. It has served us well, and we will continue to improve it ourselves, not by having our process dictated by outsiders.
Any attempt to “nationalize” elections is not only unconstitutional, it is an insult to the millions of Americans who dedicate their time to ensuring elections are run fairly and securely.
In Wisconsin, elections are administered by hardworking clerks and election officials who take their responsibilities seriously, regardless of party. These public servants deserve our respect, not political attacks or reckless threats that undermine their work.
Before any candidate or elected leader casts doubt on Wisconsin’s election process, we challenge them to learn how it actually operates. Tour an election facility. Speak with clerks and administrators. Observe the safeguards in place. Do the work required to understand what makes our system function.
Elections resilient against outside interference
Wisconsin’s elections are free, fair and secure and they are resilient against outside interference. But we cannot be complacent. The only way to ensure our elections remain secure is to build on our successes and rebuild the trust that has been damaged by years of misinformation and political cynicism.
Republican or Democrat, it is essential our leaders tell the truth about our elections. Wisconsin voters deserve confidence in the system and Wisconsin deserves the right to run its own elections, as we always have.
Tom Barrett, a Democrat, is a former mayor and Congressman from Milwaukee. Scott Klug, a Republican, is a former Congressman from Madison. Mike Tate is the former chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. JB Van Hollen, a Republican, is the former Wisconsin Attorney General. All four serve on the Wisconsin board of the The Democracy Defense Project.
Wisconsin
Couple asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear Brewers 50-50 raffle prize dispute
(WLUK) – A couple challenging the decision not to award them a 50-50 raffle prize at a Milwaukee Brewers game asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to take the case, calling it one of “statewide importance.”
Matthew and Annette Flynn purchased ten raffle tickets at the July 7, 2023, game, and held the winning number which was originally selected for $13,000. According to court records, the raffle rules in effect at the time required the winning ticket holder to claim the prize at a designated 50-50 table by the end of the top of the seventh inning. Flynn said she did not see the winning number displayed or hear it announced and was directed by stadium personnel to another location before making her way to the claim table. Officials determined she did not arrive before the deadline and selected a new winning ticket.
The Flynns sued, but the circuit and appeals courts ruled the raffle’s rules gave the foundation sole discretion to determine the official winner and that the rules clearly stated a participant who failed to claim the prize within the specified time would be disqualified.
In a petition to the Wisconsin Supreme Court filed Wednesday, the Flynn’s asked the high court to take the case, saying the decision “affects not only the parties to this action but potentially every Wisconsin resident who participates in charitable raffles and similar gaming activities.”
“This case presents significant questions concerning contractual discretion, discovery, judicial review of charitable gaming decisions, and the treatment of digital evidence within Wisconsin’s appellate system. For these reasons, Petitioners respectfully request that this Court grant review of the decision of the Court of Appeals,” the petition states.
The high court does not have to take the case. At some point, it will vote on if to take it. If it does, a months-long process to review the issues will begin. If it does not, the appeals court ruling would stand.
According to the rules posted on the Milwaukee Brewers’ website, the deadline to claim the prize is no longer during the game the tickets were purchased.
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“The Participant in possession of the Raffle ticket with the potential winning number may claim the Prize at the 50/50 Table located on the Loge (2nd) level concourse behind Sections 216/217 until such time as the Ballpark officially closes to fans after the end of the game. If the Participant in possession of the Raffle ticket with the potential winning number does not claim the Prize by the time the Ballpark closes to fans after the end of the game, that Participant may still claim the Prize within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the Raffle Period for the respective baseball game by contacting the Raffle hotline (414-902-4334). A Prize that is not claimed within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the Raffle Period will be awarded in compliance with applicable regulations,” the site states.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin DOJ probes fatal shooting by Oneida County officer
ONEIDA COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) — The Wisconsin DOJ is investigating an officer-involved death that occurred on the morning of June 17 in the town of Lake Tomahawk.
According to a press release, around 10:30 a.m., two Oneida officers arrived at Lumen Lake Drive to arrest a subject in a felony investigation.
Upon contact with the officers, the subject brandished and shot a firearm. One officer shot the subject in return.
EMS pronounced the subject dead on the scene. No members of law enforcement or the public were injured.
Both officers will be placed on administrative assignment, per the agency’s policy.
WFRV will update this story as needed.
Wisconsin
Body cam shows Wisconsin officer shooting at stray dogs 16 times. What to know
Body camera shows Wisconsin officer shooting, killing dog in Mequon
Body camera footage from April 23, 2026 shows a Thiensville officer firing at two dogs running at him. He continues to fire as they run away, killing one.
A Thiensville officer fired 16 shots at two stray dogs, killing one, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has been tracking the fallout.
The officer, Richard C. McCormick, resigned during an internal investigation. The shooting is now under review by the Ozaukee County District Attorney’s Office.
Here’s what to know about the case and what to do if you encounter a stray or lost dog:
What brought the Thiensville officer to the Mequon intersection?
On April 23, 2026, Mequon police responded to a call shortly after 1 a.m. for two loose dogs at Highland and Cedarburg Roads. The Mequon officers decided to return in the morning, when they could seek help from the humane society.
About two hours later, McCormick saw the dogs at the same intersection, outside his jurisdiction. McCormick stopped and tried to capture them. He was not responding to a new 911 call or other request for help. He was aware of the earlier call about the dogs.
What happened during the shooting?
Body camera footage obtained by the Journal Sentinel showed the dogs bounding toward McCormick after he opened a rear door of his squad.
The officer fired at least two shots near the ground, in what he later said was an attempt to scare the dogs. Video showed the dogs running away and McCormick continuing to fire across the road, even after one of the dogs collapsed on the ground and howled.
Six minutes later, McCormick fired a final shot from close range to euthanize the dog on the ground. The other dog escaped into the woods.
A national expert on police-dog encounters told the Journal Sentinel there were “valid concerns” about the shooting, noting that McCormick continued firing even as the dogs ran away from him.
What happened to the second dog?
The shooting came to light after three women tracked and safely trapped the second dog that had been wounded.
The dog, whom they named Ranger, had a bullet in his hip.
Ranger underwent surgery and was still receiving care at the Wisconsin Humane Society Ozaukee Campus as of June 17.
The rescue volunteers – Danielle Dietz, Alicia Hegedus and Karen Bohlmann – pieced together what happened to Ranger and the other dog, whom they nicknamed BD, using public records requests.
They learned that Ranger had been out for 17 days since he had been shot.
What should you do if you encounter a lost or stray dog?
Angela Speed, a spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Humane Society, offered the following suggestions:
- Be cautious. Fearful, injured or ill animals can be reactive when confronted.
- Watch the dog’s body language carefully.
- If the dog is obviously friendly and approachable, check for a collar with information. If an owner cannot be located, take the dog to a local animal shelter.
- If you have safety concerns, call a local non-emergency police or sheriff’s office line.
The volunteers who rescued Ranger have years of experience tracking and safely capturing stray or missing dogs, on their own and with local rescue groups. They offered additional suggestions:
- Note the location where you saw the dog and take a photo, if possible.
- Share that information in local neighborhood groups online, which can include Facebook, NextDoor or Ring.
- Look up nearby lost dog and recovery organizations online and contact those groups for help.
- Never chase a dog.
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