The Daily How Democracy Itself Ended Up on the Ballot in Wisconsin
Nov 8, 2022
In this compelling discussion, Reid J. Epstein, a New York Times reporter specializing in elections, joins former Wisconsin State Senator Kathy Bernier to unpack the state's fraught political landscape. They delve into the GOP's strategies to consolidate power through redistricting and altered voting laws. The talk reveals how recent elections have transformed Wisconsin into a battleground, highlighting voters' struggles against claims of fraud and declining trust in the electoral process. Their insights bring the stakes of the upcoming elections into sharp focus.
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Nikki's Political Journey
- Nikki, a Wisconsin small business owner, voted for Trump in 2016, drawn to his outsider status.
- By 2020, she became increasingly concerned about election integrity, particularly regarding absentee ballots.
2020 Primary Issues
- The 2020 Wisconsin primary was a logistical disaster due to the pandemic and conflicting actions by officials.
- This fueled distrust in the election process, especially regarding absentee ballots and drop boxes.
Absentee Ballot Suspicions
- Nikki's unfamiliarity with absentee voting, coupled with Trump's rhetoric, heightened her suspicion.
- Although bipartisan, the Wisconsin Elections Commission's changes seemed unusual to her.