The Recall Vos campaign in Wisconsin has exposed a calculated effort by out-of-state individuals to sabotage their signature collection process. These actions have raised serious questions about the integrity of political campaigns and the lengths to which some will go to disrupt democratic processes.
The controversy centers around an attempt to recall Robin Vos, the controversial anti-Trump Wisconsin Speaker known for his approval of ballot drop boxes in the state. The Recall Vos team had already identified significant vulnerabilities in the signature verification process, noting that there was no requirement to confirm the identification of petition signers. This loophole allowed for potential fraud, making it easier for malicious actors to exploit the system.
Between February 27 and March 2, six individuals from various states including New York, Florida, and Ohio appeared in Burlington, WI, and attempted to infiltrate the Recall Vos campaign. These people, who came independently, sought to inject fraudulent signatures into the petition. They even requested compensation but left the state abruptly without receiving payment, raising suspicions about their true motives.
The Recall Vos team took immediate action upon noticing these suspicious activities. They separated questionable petition sheets and went a step further by conducting in-person verifications at over 15 residences listed on the petitions. Unsurprisingly, none of the signatures could be verified as legitimate, leading the team to consider them fraudulent and exclude them from the final submission to the Wisconsin Election Commission.
The investigation revealed the identities of those involved in this disruptive operation. Despite their coordinated effort, the Recall Vos team managed to catch onto their scheme and ensured that potentially fraudulent signatures did not make it into the official count.
This scandal underscores the challenges faced by grassroots movements in maintaining election integrity. The Recall Vos campaign’s proactive measures to address potential fraud demonstrate a commitment to upholding democratic principles despite adversities.
Adding another layer to the story, the campaign hired three US-based companies to enhance their signature collection efforts. However, one company, Trailblazing Canvassers, was dismissed due to poor performance and lack of management. Some independent contractors from this company continued to work for the campaign, provided they submitted valid signatures. Despite assurances that all workers were US citizens, unfounded news reports suggested otherwise, prompting the campaign to verify citizenship status, which ultimately disproved the allegations.
The situation raises important questions: Who funded the travel and expenses for these out-of-state saboteurs? What were their true intentions? And how did they know to target the Recall Vos campaign at such a critical juncture?
Our lawyer on claims of fraud in the effort to recall Robin Vos. pic.twitter.com/ckVpc7hgEA
— Racine Recall Committee (@RacineRecall) May 21, 2024