Wisconsin’s Democrat Legal professional Normal Josh Kaul and his Division of Justice have taken aggressive motion in opposition to Wausau Mayor Doug Diny.
The DOJ raided the conservative mayor’s dwelling and workplace on Wednesday, reportedly in connection to his controversial elimination of an unsecured absentee poll drop field outdoors Metropolis Corridor.
Sources near the investigation have informed The Federalist that legislation enforcement seized a number of digital gadgets, together with the cellphone of Diny’s spouse.
Final month, Diny made headlines when he personally eliminated the drop field outdoors Metropolis Corridor, arguing that the town council ought to determine whether or not it was wanted, reasonably than merely adhering to a state mandate championed by liberal strongholds.
Diny donned work gloves and a tough hat as he carted away the unsecured drop field on a dolly, making certain its security till the town council may make an official determination.
Whereas liberal critics screamed “voter suppression,” Diny stood agency, insisting that his actions have been meant to guard the voting course of from potential abuse.
“That is no totally different than the upkeep man shifting it on the market,” Diny stated, dismissing the overblown accusations of voter interference.
“I’m a member of workers. There’s nothing nefarious occurring right here. I’m hoping for an excellent outcome.”
“My place is that this metropolis doesn’t want one,” he stated.
Two days earlier than the raid, Kaul introduced that Wisconsin Division of Justice is “working to guard honest elections.”
Wisconsin Division of Justice is Working to Defend Truthful Elections: https://t.co/hutSXJuKLA pic.twitter.com/Z9Q5wpVQzM
— Legal professional Normal Josh Kaul (@WisDOJ) October 14, 2024
In accordance with the press release:
Wisconsin Legal professional Normal Josh Kaul at present issued a reminder that voter intimidation and threats to election employees are in opposition to the legislation.
“It’s important that we defend the fitting to vote,” stated Legal professional Normal Kaul. “Wisconsin DOJ is dedicated to creating certain that Wisconsin as soon as once more has a secure and safe election.”
DOJ’s Division of Felony Investigation staffs the Wisconsin State Intelligence Middle (WSIC). WSIC facilitates intelligence and data sharing with federal, state, native, tribal, and campus legislation enforcement companions together with hearth service, emergency administration, public well being, army, and personal sector companies.
WSIC shares on an ongoing foundation intelligence on potential threats with native legislation enforcement and elections directors throughout Wisconsin and can proceed to take action by way of Election Day. WSIC works carefully with their companions to assemble, obtain, analyze, and disseminate intelligence about varied sorts of threats to Wisconsin elections, together with however not restricted to threats in opposition to election directors or of election interference, overseas or home.
Wisconsin DOJ is out there as a useful resource to the Wisconsin Elections Fee, legislation enforcement, and district attorneys. Wisconsin DOJ will probably be speaking with legislation enforcement and prosecutors relating to related election legal guidelines.
Voter Intimidation & Threats to Election Officers
Voter intimidation is against the law. Wisconsin legislation prohibits anybody from utilizing or threatening pressure to compel somebody to vote, to maintain them from voting, or to affect their voting determination. Wisconsin legislation additionally prohibits anybody from utilizing duress or fraud to impede or stop somebody from freely exercising their proper to vote.
Threatening habits towards election officers can also be against the law. Wisconsin legislation prohibits anybody from threatening loss of life or bodily hurt aspiring to trigger, or creating an unreasonable and substantial danger of inflicting, public panic or concern, or the interruption or impairment of presidency operations, together with the electoral course of. Wisconsin legislation additionally prohibits anybody from refusing to obey a lawful order of a polling place inspector, participating in disorderly habits at or close to a polling place, or interrupting or disturbing voting or canvassing proceedings.
The legislation not solely prohibits people from taking any of those actions personally, nevertheless it additionally prohibits people from having a 3rd get together take these actions.
Illegal intimidation can take many kinds and figuring out if any explicit motion is felony relies on the info of the incident. Examples may embody:
- Verbal threats of violence;
- Confronting voters or election officers whereas carrying military-style or official-looking uniforms;
- Brandishing or displaying firearms in an intimidating or threatening method in or close to a polling place;
- Aggressively approaching voters’ automobiles or writing down license plate numbers;
- Following voters to, from, or inside polling locations;
- Showing to patrol or police the voting line whereas armed;
- Partaking in disorderly habits in or close to a polling place; or
- Stopping entry to a polling place by making threats or participating in intimidating habits.
Moreover, it’s unlawful underneath state and federal legislation for personal teams to conduct legislation enforcement or army actions.
