Wisconsin’s political landscape saw a significant development as the state Supreme Court delivered a unanimous ruling that safeguards the position of its top elections administrator. The decision, which crosses partisan lines, comes amid ongoing tensions over election administration and marks a pivotal moment for electoral oversight in this key swing state.
Court’s unanimous decision protects elections administrator
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 7-0 that Meagan Wolfe can continue serving as the administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, despite Republican lawmakers’ attempts to remove her. The ruling upholds a lower court’s decision and establishes that no vacancy exists in the position, preventing the need for Senate confirmation.
The justices determined that the elections commission “does not have a duty to appoint a new administrator to replace Wolfe simply because her term has ended.” This decision follows the legal precedent set in 2022 regarding Republican-appointee Fred Prehn’s continued service on the state Natural Resources Board.
Background of the political dispute
Wolfe’s position became contentious following the 2020 presidential election, where Joe Biden won Wisconsin by nearly 21,000 votes. Despite multiple validations of the election results through recounts, audits, and legal challenges, Wolfe faced conspiracy theories and threats from election skeptics.
Initially appointed in 2018 and confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate in 2019, Wolfe’s reappointment process in 2023 resulted in a deadlocked vote. The bipartisan commission’s three Republicans voted to reappoint her, while the three Democrats abstained.
Legal battle over administrative authority
In September 2023, Republican senators attempted to remove Wolfe through a vote, which they later characterized as “symbolic” in court filings. The elections commission challenged this action through a lawsuit, maintaining that Wolfe could legally continue serving in a holdover capacity.
The commission’s structure includes equal representation from both major political parties, with Wolfe heading the nonpartisan staff. Her predecessor’s tenure ended similarly, with Republican senators voting against confirmation in 2018.
The ruling reinforces the stability of Wisconsin’s election administration as the state continues to play a crucial role in national politics. The court’s decision effectively prevents the Senate from forcing a confirmation vote that could have resulted in Wolfe’s removal.
