In a plot twist that could rival any prime-time legal drama, Kimberly Zapata, the former deputy director of the Milwaukee Election Commission, found herself on the wrong side of the law. Convicted on all charges related to a ballot fraud scheme involving military absentee ballots, Zapata’s fall from grace was not just dramatic; it was a stark reminder of the fragility and importance of trust in our electoral system. The Milwaukee County jury, after deliberations that kicked off earlier in the day, didn’t seem to buy into the narrative that Zapata was merely a whistleblower pointing out the vulnerabilities in the election process.
Let’s set the stage here: Imagine, if you will, a scheme so bold, it involves fraudulently requesting military absentee ballots and directing them to the residence of State Representative Janel Brandtjen (R-Menomonee Falls). Now, Rep. Brandtjen, who at the time chaired the Assembly on Campaigns and Elections, wasn’t about to let this slide. She raised the alarm on election fraud after receiving three legitimate military ballots at her home, addressed to “Holly,” a non-existent resident. If that doesn’t scream “something fishy is going on,” I don’t know what does.
But here’s where the story takes a turn. Democrats came rushing to Zapata’s defense, painting her actions as an attempt to showcase how easy it is to request fraudulent ballots. Claire Woodall-Vogg, the Elections Commission Director, echoed this sentiment, suggesting Zapata was highlighting a loophole that allowed military ballots to be issued and mailed without requiring a photo ID or even voter registration verification. A noble cause, perhaps, but executed in a way that blurred the lines between exposing flaws and exploiting them.
On Monday, Brandtjen alerted law enforcement that someone had sent military ballots in the names of people who don't exist to her home in what Brandtjen believed was an effort to alert her to how easy it is to commit vote fraud using military ballots.
— Dan O'Donnell (@DanODonnellShow) November 3, 2022
The defense tried to spin Zapata as a martyr of sorts, a whistleblower caught in the crossfire of her own crusade against imperfect systems. Yet, the prosecution wasn’t having any of it. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Westphal argued that by lying on these applications and having fraudulent ballots issued, Zapata wasn’t shining a light on the problem; she was becoming part of it.
????#BREAKING: SHE IS A DEMOCRAT
Wisconsin Election Commission director Kimberly Zapata found guilty on all felony counts for falsifying military ballot. https://t.co/xQ1oFgEeOm pic.twitter.com/9LZuS8BnqZ
— Suhr Majesty ™ (@ULTRA_MAJESTY) March 21, 2024
This entire debacle raises several red flags about the integrity of our electoral system and the lengths some individuals might go to expose or exploit its weaknesses. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s reaction to the verdict was telling. He emphasized accountability for wrongdoing and the high standards of integrity expected of election officials, especially in an era rife with false accusations and harassment.
At the end of the day, this case isn’t just about one individual’s misguided attempt at activism; it’s a cautionary tale of the consequences of undermining the public’s trust in our elections. It’s a reminder that the road to hell is often paved with good intentions, and in the high-stakes world of politics, those intentions can sometimes lead to a courtroom.