A motion to impeach Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) administrator Meagan Wolfe has officially been introduced by five Republican assembly members on Thursday, September 21. This has not been the first time Republicans have threatened impeachment against a state official as there has been previous attempts to oust Democratic-aligned Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz.
The articles of impeachment cited against Wolfe had 15 different allegations that ranged from maladministration and violation of election laws by her office.
Assembly Republicans put forward impeachment articles for elections chief Meagan Wolfe https://t.co/Y0m1FSc3X8
— Journal Sentinel (@journalsentinel) September 21, 2023
It remains unknown whether Speaker Robin Vos will put the articles of impeachment against Wolfe up for vote in a committee which could decide if it should proceed.
However, earlier in September, Vos seemed to suggest that the elections chief should not remain in her post anymore and instead someone else who is qualified could take over.
“I think if Meagan Wolfe stays there, it will be even more problematic for people to believe whatever occurs in 2024 is fair,” said Vos. “So for the good of the system, I think that we need to say that in any job, there is always more than one qualified person who could do it.”
Wolfe responded to these attacks saying they were all unfounded rumors and she has been able to stay impartial during her 12 years as an election official due because she does not bend under political pressure no matter what side of the aisle it comes from.
She also suggested that political pressures were forcing lawmakers into embracing these false claims about her leadership role on commission and also about their system of elections which is unfair according to her statement given out by reporters.
Wolfe stated: “During my 12 years as a nonpartisan election official, I’ve learned when politicians on either side of the aisle are upset with me, it’s usually because I will not bend to political pressure,” she told reporters. “It’s unfortunate that political pressures have forced a group of our lawmakers to embrace unfounded rumors about my leadership, my role on the commission and our system of elections.”
