Here & Now

Legislative Audit Bureau Releases 2020 Election Review

Frederica Freyberg:

The Legislative Audit Bureau released its long-awaited review of the Wisconsin 2020 election today. The audit did not find anything that would change the results of the election but made 30 recommendations for the Wisconsin Elections Commission and 18 for the Legislature to consider around election procedures. In response, the Republican chair of the Joint Audit Committee said, “Many of the findings show that WEC and its staff are not complying with state statutes on several fronts, from clerk training to verification of voters and voter registration.” Still, Senator Robert Cowles said this audit showed that the election was largely safe and secure. Democratic Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz had this response to the audit. “This report confirms that Wisconsin’s 2020 elections were fair, secure and accurate. The report also contradicts the disingenuous lies legislative Republicans have peddled for the last 11 months in their attempt to breed distrust in our democracy.” WEC Administrator Meagan Wolfe said, “We’re anxious to use this opportunity to look for ways to improve the administrative functions that are so critical to carrying out our elections.” However, Wolfe also said the report made it clear last November’s results were accurate and no widespread fraud of any type was discovered. The Joint Audit Committee will hold a hearing on the results of the audit.