Jay Heck

Constitutional Referendums on April Ballot Address GOP ‘Zuckerbucks’ Charges

Election conspiracy theorists made unfounded charges the funding caused voter fraud.

Democrats Crushing GOP in Fundraising

A 4-1 edge for state Democratic party last year, the biggest ever. And they have Scott Walker and Republicans to thank.

Fair Maps Advocates Condemn GOP Redistricting Plan

Still battling, Vos says U.S. Supreme Court will make Protasiewicz recuse.

Parties Bicker Over How to Do Iowa-Style Redistricting

Democrats charge that Vos plan will hand ultimate power to Republican legislators.

How Wisconsin Became Wild West of Campaign Spending

In just 20 years quiet nonpartisan Supreme Court races turned into something ugly.

How La Follette Helped Save Democracy

But his sudden retirement as Secretary of State has been blasted by Republicans.

Vote Tracking Bill Has Bipartisan Support

Proposal would allow state's absentee voters to track status of their vote.

Vote, Your Neighbors Are Watching, GOP Flyer Warns

A 'creepy' Republican ploy 'to guilt-trip residents of a long-term care facility into voting.'

Referendums Seek To Block Election Grants From Zuckerberg, Others

Four counties will ask voters nonbinding question regarding election grants.

Judges Writing New Election Rules

Partisan impasse between governor and Legislature increasingly leaves courts deciding rules.

Little Change In Voting Rules For April

After 16 months of controversy only one change in rules, though not for lack of Republican efforts.

Charges Against Election Officials Are Partisan Stunt

Using unproven allegations to cause distrust of democracy.

Nation’s Worst Prison Gerrymandering?

Wisconsin’s a leader in counting prisoners to inflate rural areas and rob urban areas of representation.

Political Storm Brewing Over Redistricting

A life-or-death issue for politicians, and a call for IT geeks.

Suit Charges ALEC Unlawfully Helps Republicans

Nonprofit's help to GOP politicians in Wisconsin, other states, violates its tax status?

Campaign Spending Undermines Our Courts

Out-of-control campaign spending and weak recusal rules are opposed by voters.

14 Bills Restrict Voting in Wisconsin

Bills call for voter roll purges and restrictions on early voting and registration.

State Appeals Court Races Getting More Partisan

With big donations from Uihlein, Menard, a 9-1 advantage for GOP-backed candidate.

Beware of GOP Voting Restrictions

Republican legislators are floating plans to make if harder for some people to vote.

More Legislators Become Lobbyists 

Nygren and Shilling are the latest to take the lucrative road well-traveled.

$1 Million Legislative Races Now Common

For a job paying $52,000. This year the Democrats are out-spending Republicans.

Larson Letter Urges More Days to Count Votes

Democrats cite massive absentee vote, call for extraordinary legislative session to extend time for ballot counting.

Judge Won’t Rule on Student ID Voting Requirements

Plaintiffs argue that specific ID requirements are a barrier to voting for students.

State DMVs Not Accessible for Photo IDs

May create barrier for thousands seeking access to the ballot.

Election Donors Operate in the Shadows

One third of all state campaign donations, some $12 million, from secretive outside groups.

Can Wisconsin Create Fair District Maps?

Former Republican State Sen. Dan Kapanke admits gerrymander, calls for fair maps.

11 Wisconsin Counties Have a Redistricting Referendum on Nov. 3 Ballot

Gerrymandering Creates Difficult Road for Dems in Wisconsin

Pandemic Adds Barriers for College Voters

Wisconsin one of the hardest places to vote for college students living away from home.

Voter Purge Push Threatens 129,000 Names

State Supreme Court will consider approach critics decry as voter suppression.

Republicans Risk Public Health With Election

Refusal of Vos and Fitzgerald to postpone election could cause more disease, deaths.

Did Gerrymandering Kill Medicaid Expansion?

Liberal group’s report links gerrymandering to less health coverage, more deaths from preventable causes.

Vos, Fitzgerald Lie About Gerrymander

Their claim that Iowa model for nonpartisan redistricting is unconstitutional is dead wrong.

State Supreme Court Race Is Crucial

At stake is whether justices will recuse themselves to avoid flagrant conflicts of interest.

Campaigning on the Taxpayer’s Dime?

Changes in state law open door to abuses, campaigning by government workers.

Two-thirds of Wisconsin counties endorse reform for redistricting process

Sheboygan County Board passes resolution 20-4 to become 48th county to call for Fair Maps

Gerrymandering Foes Push Reform

Fair Maps groups embrace nonpartisan redistricting in Assembly, Senate bills.

Redistricting Now Up to Citizen Action

U.S. Supreme Court decision leaves it up to voters to demand non-partisan redistricting.

Recusal At Issue in High Court Race

State Supreme Court has one of nation’s weakest rules to prevent ethical conflicts.

State Facing Endless Lawsuits?

Suits by governor, legislature, citizens coming on lame duck laws, gerrymandering.

Do Walker, Evers Campaign on State Time?

Elected officials have looser rules for how much time they can take away from the job.

Dark Money Helped Kill Lead Paint Claims

State Republicans facing recalls got $750,000 in secret cash, wrote law to bar suits to benefit lead poisoned children.

Scott Walker’s Big Lie

Not doing special elections hasn’t saved money, it’s actually cost taxpayers. A lot.

Why Walker Opposes Special Elections

He's not serving the voters. He's serving his party.

Stronger Recusal Rules Needed for State Courts

Wisconsin was once the gold standard for impartial courts. Not any more.

Dark Money’s High Court Candidate

Michael Screnock blows off candidate forums, bets on special interest money.

Judges At MU Panel Demand Recusal Rules

Common Cause and judges at town hall meeting say state’s judicial system must be reformed.

Bill Would End “Revolving Door” Lobbyists

Would require one-year wait for ex-legislators and legislative aides to become lobbyists.

Judge’s Resignation From Ethics Commission Alarming

Judge Kinney resigns from state commission, criticizing its “secrecy” and lax standards.

Ron Johnson, Do Your Job

Stop obstructing any hearings or consideration of Obama’s choice for Supreme Court.

Berceau, Public Interest Groups Offer Bill to Shine Light on Big Money in Campaigns

Berceau noted that no one is asking for more secret, unlimited corporate money in elections.

How Dark Money Will Rule Wisconsin

Two Republican bills about to pass could make this a vassal state of wealthy special interests.

Bill Would Kill Nonpartisan Accountability Board

Proposal to replace GAB will effectively end its scrutiny of misconduct by legislators and state officials.

Campaign Finance Laws Will Be Rewritten

Court decisions have made them outdated. Some fear new rules will allow unlimited spending.

The Long Arms of Scott Jensen

Former Assembly Speaker, now a school choice lobbyist, targeted six Democrats with negative ads that never mentioned the issue.

GAB Judges Return Fire Against Vos

They defend GAB leader Kevin Kennedy, criticize Vos and say no legislative changes in ethics and elections board are needed.

Unopposed Legislators Still Love Campaign Cash

Retiring and unopposed legislators are sitting on $1.2 million in donations.

Few Competitive Legislative Races

Redistricting has reduced the number of competitive districts for fall elections.

The Lobbyist Law Nobody Likes

Except the WMC business lobby and Realtors Association, who are glad Walker signed it.

Money Flow to Politicians Never Stops

The past year has seen union coffers decline, while other donors keep the cash coming.

How Legislators Grab Big Pensions

A move into higher-paying state jobs greatly increases their pensions.

Can New President Darnell Cole Rescue MATC?

Not long after arriving in town, new MATC president Darnell Cole called Greater Milwaukee Committee President Bob Milbourne and asked to meet.