The Wisconsin Democratic Party just got smacked down in court so hard you could hear it in all 72 counties. As USA Journal reported, a judge tossed out a lawsuit where the party basically begged to let over 117,000 voters take back their already submitted mail ballots and try again. Spoiler alert: that is not how elections work.
So how did we get to this beautiful mess? Well, the Democratic gubernatorial primary turned into a revolving door of candidates. People dropped out after absentee ballots were already floating through the postal system. Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez's campaign fell apart. David Crowley, who was supposed to be the backup quarterback, actually LEFT the race and then hopped back in like someone who changes their mind at the drive-through window after pulling away. By the time anyone could figure out who was actually running, tens of thousands of voters had already mailed in ballots for people who may or may not have still been candidates.
Naturally, the Wisconsin Democratic Party went into full panic mode. They marched over to the Wisconsin Elections Commission and said, "Hey, let everyone redo their ballots." The WEC looked at the state law, which could not possibly be more clear on this topic, and said absolutely not. So the party did what any reasonable organization does when they do not get their way: they sued.
Dane County Circuit Judge David Conway dismissed the whole thing on Wednesday, pointing to the statute's crystal clear language that voters cannot spoil an absentee ballot once it has been returned. And here is the part that really stings for Democrats. Dane County is where Madison sits. This is one of the bluest places in America. When a judge from deep blue territory looks at your case and says the law is obviously against you, that is not a close call. That is a total wipeout.
WisDems Chair Devin Remiker tried spinning this as voter suppression, which is a creative interpretation of "following the law as written." The whole point of absentee ballots being final upon submission is to maintain election integrity. If people could just recall and resubmit ballots whenever something changes, we would not have an election system. We would have a suggestion box.
The cherry on this disaster sundae? The candidate Democrats apparently tried everything to avoid nominating, Francesca Hong, the progressive who went viral during a debate for rambling about defunding the police, is now their gubernatorial nominee. Their first choice imploded. Their second choice required convincing a retired candidate to un-retire. Their third choice, this lawsuit, just got laughed out of a Madison courtroom.
Republicans are probably still pinching themselves. They could not have scripted a more favorable outcome with a Hollywood writers' room. The primary voters made their choice, the law held firm, and Wisconsin Democrats are now stuck with the consequences of their own chaotic primary. Sometimes the trash takes itself out.
Read more conservative news commentary at: USA Journal News
