“Voter Irregularity” Investigation in Racine being led by Walker appointees, GOP machine

[hue]

http://bdgrdemocracy.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/voter-irregularity-investigation-in-racine-being-led-by-walker-appointees-gop-machine/

On Thursday, June 14 the Racine County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to statewide media outlets they are investigating alleged “voter irregularities” at one of the Racine polling sites. Based on an unnamed citizen complaint and alleged evidence of voter registration irregularities left in a dumpster, Racine County District Attorney Rich Chiapete has asked Sheriff Christopher Schmaling to investigate the alleged irregularities. On the heels of this announcement, State Senator Van Wangaard has requested a recount of the election. Challenger John Lehman has a post-canvas lead of over 800 votes, outside the .5% margin for a state-paid recall. The Government Accountability Board is poised to certify election results next week – but the “investigation” plays too perfectly into pre-election GOP cries of voter fraud. The question is, what is the real fraud in Racine County?

Racine County District Attorney Rich Chiapete requested the investigation be conducted by the Sheriff’s Department. Chiapete became Racine County District Attorney on March 1, 2012 after being nominated by Governor Scott Walker. The appointment of Chiapete came after Walker named then-DA Mike Nieskes to a vacant Circuit Court Judgeship (more on that in a bit). Chiapete will not face an election until January 2013, and was the only applicant to the vacancy. Staff in the DA’s office informed Badger Democracy today that Nieskes was instrumental in securing the position for Chiapete internally. According to campaign finance records, Chiapete’s wife Jennifer contributed $100 to Van Wangaard’s campaign in 2011.

Previous DA Mike Nieskes left his position to accept a Circuit Court Judgeship after being appointed by – you guessed it – Governor Scott Walker in December, 2011. Nieskes has been DA since 2005, after running unopposed. Prior to that, he was acting DA after the embattled Lennie Weber stepped down in 1993 to serve on the State Gaming Board (Weber was a Tommy Thompson nominee). Weber resigned the gaming board amidst scandal in 1994. While serving in a supposed “non-partisan” office, Nieske donated to Scott Walker in 2010, Bill McReynolds in 2006, and Reince Priebus in 2004.

[Blue Owl]

1. Ground Control to Command Central

It's all legit with the fancy privatized vote machine programming.

And say, that Command Central sure looks like an ethical, top-notch outfit:

http://wcmcoop.com/members/meet-command-central-the-people-in-charge-of-wisconsin-voting-machines/

[midnight]

2. This is a piece of the story that not many people, myself included, were aware of.

Since reading this, it know makes me aware of why Kathy Nicholas walks away from reporters when asked those tough questions.....


"Whether it’s a news event, a hostile public hearing or a difficult internal meeting, the knowledge and skills gained in this class will increase our ability and confidence to succeed as mastering the tough questions everyone fears. By understanding the anatomy of ‘tough questions’ you will gain power of them. Learn response techniques and model answers that you can apply to any situation."

[dragonlady]

3. Irregularity on the part of Republicans

This is an interesting blog about what the Republicans were up to in the Democratic-leaning wards in Racine. Besides creating confusion and delay, the following paragraph stood out:

"Other" election observers noted D'Abbracio's observers illegally engaging voters by speaking or questioning them, handling election materials, improperly issuing challenges and photographing the license plates of voters who had just registered. They also saw D'Abbracio's observers intentionally misdirecting voters to the wrong polling places. But what's a little intimidation and harassment when the people's "faith" is at stake? http://rootriversiren.blogspot.com/2012/06/racine-election-integrity-svu.html