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Content referencing Michael Haas

Wisconsin’s System Lets Few Ineligible Voters on Felony Probation Slip Through

Wisconsin’s System Lets Few Ineligible Voters on Felony Probation Slip Through

Less than 11 ineligible voters per year. Misunderstandings of the rules a major reason.

Lawsuit Complicates Absentee Voting in Wisconsin

Lawsuit Complicates Absentee Voting in Wisconsin

Could disenfranchise 'tens of thousands' of voters, state election commission warns.

Wisconsin Elections Chief Meagan Wolfe Gets Increased Security

Wisconsin Elections Chief Meagan Wolfe Gets Increased Security

Election workers have faced threats. Trump claimed Wolfe would 'try to steal' election.

Republicans File Complaints About Milwaukee, Madison Election Staffing

Republicans File Complaints About Milwaukee, Madison Election Staffing

But election officials in both communities say all appropriate protocols were followed.

Scapegoating of Meagan Wolfe just the latest attempt to subvert our democracy
Elections Commission Deadlocks on Executive Director

Elections Commission Deadlocks on Executive Director

3-3 vote means Meagan Wolfe will continue as director. Issue could go to courts.

Madison Ordinance Levies Fines For Harassing Elections Workers

Madison Ordinance Levies Fines For Harassing Elections Workers

Mayor Rhodes-Conway pushes fines up to $1,000, noting spike in harassment since 2020.

New Elections Commission Member Approved Decisions Republicans Now Oppose

New Elections Commission Member Approved Decisions Republicans Now Oppose

Don Millis backed actions later cited as evidence of misconduct in 2020 election.

GOP Election Bills Are Far Reaching

GOP Election Bills Are Far Reaching

Restricting absentee voting, more power for Legislature, nursing home employees could face prison.

Legislators, Citizens Battle Over Election Bills

Legislators, Citizens Battle Over Election Bills

Senate Elections committee debates: Do GOP bills enhance voting ‘integrity' or unleash 'war on voters’?

Milwaukee, Madison Officials Push Back on GOP Election Probe

Milwaukee, Madison Officials Push Back on GOP Election Probe

'They had full and complete access’ to election records, says Milwaukee County Clerk.

Inside Milwaukee’s Vote Counting Operation

Inside Milwaukee’s Vote Counting Operation

Over 200 workers sort, count and process thousands of ballots in a downtown office building.

The State of Politics: The Path to Brad Pfaff’s Firing
The State of Politics

The Path to Brad Pfaff’s Firing

Why GOP legislators shot down Agriculture Secretary. And why Evers was incensed.

Op Ed: Top 10 Stories of 2018 Affecting Democracy
Op Ed

Top 10 Stories of 2018 Affecting Democracy

How Wisconsin went forward -- and backward -- in democratic government.

Will State Prevent Election Cyber Attacks?

Will State Prevent Election Cyber Attacks?

Cybersecurity experts warn Wisconsin’s system is vulnerable. What are state officials doing about it?

Election Experts Call For Paper Ballots

Election Experts Call For Paper Ballots

New report cites security problem, notes paper ballots can’t be tampered with online.

“Reject All Challenges” To Andy Gronik’s Nomination Signatures Says Election Commission Staff
Press Release

“Reject All Challenges” To Andy Gronik’s Nomination Signatures Says Election Commission Staff

"I’m going to restore the voice of the people to Wisconsin government..."

Data Wonk: Is GOP Trying to Destroy Democracy?
Data Wonk

Is GOP Trying to Destroy Democracy?

New report points to problems, which can be seen nationally and in Wisconsin.

Meagan Wolfe Selected as Elections Commission Administrator
Press Release

Meagan Wolfe Selected as Elections Commission Administrator

Wolfe, who has been assistant administrator since April 2017, will begin work immediately.

Statement on NBC News Story about Election Cyber Security
Press Release

Statement on NBC News Story about Election Cyber Security

“Wisconsin’s voter registration system and voting systems are secure,” said Michael Haas, Wisconsin’s chief election official.

Mike Haas Asks WEC to Appoint New Administrator
Press Release

Mike Haas Asks WEC to Appoint New Administrator

"It is time for this foolishness to end."

Elections News: Elections Commission Investigates Isolated Voting Issues in Spring Primary
Op Ed: The Senate’s Saturday Night Massacre
Op Ed

The Senate’s Saturday Night Massacre

Its attempt to fire the bipartisan head of state Elections Commission is clearly illegal.

Election Commission News: Important Reminders for Voters about the February 20 Spring Primary
The State of Politics: Counting Down to Capitol “Chaos”
The State of Politics

Counting Down to Capitol “Chaos”

Legislature faces a rush of many proposed bills. Which will pass?

Voters Still Have Time to Get ID for Primary Day
Press Release

Voters Still Have Time to Get ID for Primary Day

MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Elections Commission reminds voters that they still have time to get the acceptable photo ID they will need to vote in the Spring Primary on February 20. “Most people already have the photo ID they need to vote such as a Wisconsin driver license or ID card,” said Michael Haas, interim administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission. “If you don’t have one of those or another acceptable photo ID, you can get one for free after just one visit to a Wisconsin DMV office.” “Just bring whatever identifying documents you have like a birth certificate and proof of your current address to obtain a photo ID. If you don’t have those documents you may still obtain a document that you can use for voting through the ID Petition Process at the DMV office,” said Haas, Wisconsin’s chief elections official. Haas said that in addition to a Wisconsin driver license, ID card or other DMV-issued document, voters can also use military and veteran’s IDs, some student IDs, tribal IDs, or a certificate of naturalization.  The full list is available at www.bringit.wi.gov. “Your photo ID does not need to have your current address, and your name on your ID does not have to exactly match the name on the poll list,” Haas said. If you do not have a photo ID on Election Day, or if poll workers say your ID is not acceptable, you can still cast a provisional ballot that will be counted if you bring an acceptable ID to the polling place before the polls close at 8 p.m. or the clerk’s office by 4 p.m. the Friday after the election. There is only one statewide race on the ballot on February 20 – a primary for Wisconsin Supreme Court.   However, there may also be some primaries for local offices to be elected on April 3. To find out which candidates will be on your ballot, go to MyVote.wi.gov. The Wisconsin Elections Commission is responsible for administration and enforcement of election laws in Wisconsin.  The Commission is made up of six Commissioners – four appointed directly by the State Senate Majority Leader, Speaker of the Assembly and the Minority Leaders in the State Senate and Assembly.  The remaining two Commissioners are by the Governor with confirmation by the State Senate from lists of former municipal and county clerks submitted by the legislative leadership in each party.

Murphy’s Law: Walker’s Hands Dirty on Political Purge
Murphy’s Law

Walker’s Hands Dirty on Political Purge

Why didn't he oppose axing Elections, Ethics heads? Because he wanted revenge.

The Purge: Senate Republicans are Undermining our Ethics and Election Laws
Press Release

The Purge: Senate Republicans are Undermining our Ethics and Election Laws

"What Republicans did doesn't pass the smell test."

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign: Senate “Hatchet Job” Removes Haas, Bell
Wisconsin Democracy Campaign

Senate “Hatchet Job” Removes Haas, Bell

What did they do wrong? “I have no idea,” Fitzgerald admits, but demands firings.

Senate Republicans throw elections into chaos
Press Release

Senate Republicans throw elections into chaos

GOP witch hunt removes officials that oversee state elections and ethics

Thomsen Calls on Wisconsin Senate to Confirm Haas
Press Release

Thomsen Calls on Wisconsin Senate to Confirm Haas

The current commissioners unanimously support his confirmation.

Haas Asks Senators for Hearing and Confirmation Vote
Haas Nominated for Leadership Position in NASED
Murphy’s Law: The Strange Rage of Scott Fitzgerald
Murphy’s Law

The Strange Rage of Scott Fitzgerald

His call to fire elections commission leader defies the law and common sense.

Op Ed: Let Professionals Run State Elections
Op Ed

Let Professionals Run State Elections

Partisan dismantling of non-partisan Elections Commission will hurt system, damage democracy.

Deadline Approaching for Spring Election Candidates
Press Release

Deadline Approaching for Spring Election Candidates

The Wisconsin Elections Commission office will be closed on Monday, December 25, for Christmas and Monday, January 1, for New Year’s Day.

GOP Leaders Threat: Anyone Investigating Us Risks Losing Their Jobs
Press Release

GOP Leaders Threat: Anyone Investigating Us Risks Losing Their Jobs

‘This Gang Would Get Rid of the Ethics and Elections Boards if They Thought They Could Get Away With It’

Statement by Michael Haas
Press Release

Statement by Michael Haas

"Based on my prior visits with many legislators and my ongoing work with their staffs, I was very surprised to receive the letter last night from Senator Fitzgerald and Speaker Vos."

The State of Politics: Is State Elections Process “At Risk”?
The State of Politics

Is State Elections Process “At Risk”?

Elections Commission, legislators, predict problems if staff not restored.

Update on Wisconsin Elections Cyber Security
Press Release

Update on Wisconsin Elections Cyber Security

In 2016, Russian government cyber actors unsuccessfully targeted Wisconsin’s voter registration system.

Wisconsin Notified of Unsuccessful Russian Hacking Attempt
Press Release

Wisconsin Notified of Unsuccessful Russian Hacking Attempt

Wisconsin is one of 21 states notified by Homeland Security that their voter registration systems were targeted by Russians.

Statement on Federal Request for Wisconsin Voter Information
Press Release

Statement on Federal Request for Wisconsin Voter Information

"By law, most of the information in Wisconsin’s voter registration system is public and is available for purchase..."

The State of Politics: Polling Lists Could Go Digital
The State of Politics

Polling Lists Could Go Digital

Elections commission to replace paper lists with “e-poll books.”

State of Wisconsin Mails Postcards to Inactive Voters
Press Release

State of Wisconsin Mails Postcards to Inactive Voters

The Wisconsin Elections Commission is sending the postcards to voters who have not voted since the November 2012 presidential election.

Important Reminders for Voters about the April 4 Spring Election
Press Release

Important Reminders for Voters about the April 4 Spring Election

All voters will have the opportunity to elect a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice (uncontested) and the Superintendent of Public Instruction (contested) on Tuesday.

Spring Primary Is February 21
Press Release

Spring Primary Is February 21

Historically, the Spring Primary is Wisconsin’s lowest-turnout election.

Voters Still Have Time to Get ID for Primary Day
Wisconsin Recount Completed Ahead of Schedule With Relatively Small Changes to Final Totals
Press Release

Wisconsin Recount Completed Ahead of Schedule With Relatively Small Changes to Final Totals

Trump’s margin over Clinton increased by 131 votes.

Wisconsin Elections Commission Releases Presidential Election Recount Cost Estimate of $3.5 million
Press Release

Wisconsin Elections Commission Releases Presidential Election Recount Cost Estimate of $3.5 million

Wisconsin’s 72 County Clerks expect to hire thousands of temporary workers to assist the county boards of canvassers in recounting the ballots.

Wisconsin Elections Commission Approves Timeline for Presidential Election Recount
Press Release

Wisconsin Elections Commission Approves Timeline for Presidential Election Recount

Unless the Commission receives full payment of the estimated costs, a recount will not be ordered.

Wisconsin Elections Commission Receives Two Presidential Election Recount Petitions
Press Release

Wisconsin Elections Commission Receives Two Presidential Election Recount Petitions

The state is working under a federal deadline of December 13 to complete the recount.

Murphy’s Law: Schimel Patrols Only Democratic Voters?
Murphy’s Law

Schimel Patrols Only Democratic Voters?

AG’s “Election Integrity Unit” will monitor polls, but targets urban or Democratic areas.