MADISON, Wis. — After Michigan’s attorney general filed felony charges against 16 Republicans who acted as so-called ‘fake electors’ during the 2020 presidential election, some Wisconsinites wonder what could happen in their state.

Similar to Michigan, Republicans in Wisconsin also had a slate of alternate electors in 2020, just in case the state’s 10 electoral votes could somehow be awarded to former President Donald Trump.

However, Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat, has not said anything official about an investigation yet.

What You Need To Know

  • This week, Michigan's attorney general filed felony charges against 16 Republicans who acted as false electors during the 2020 presidential election
  • Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul declined to comment on whether there is an ongoing investigation in the state
  • Republicans in Wisconsin also had a slate of 10 alternate electors in 2020 in case the state's electoral votes could somehow be given to former President Trump

This week, Gov. Tony Evers, also a Democrat, told reporters that somebody must be held accountable for a secret meeting held in the state Capitol in 2020, following the news that Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed felony charges against 16 Republicans in her state.

“I certainly agree with [Evers'] comments yesterday about the importance of ensuring that people are held accountable who have committed crimes to subvert elections,” Kaul told reporters at a press conference about health care held Wednesday.

Kaul declined to confirm if there is an investigation ongoing with the state’s Dept. of Justice. Instead, the attorney general commented on the matter in general terms.

“On the day that the insurrection took place, I talked about how we need to ensure that anybody who was involved in this seditious conspiracy to overturn the results of our elections needs to be held accountable,” Kaul explained.

One clear thing—the federal investigation includes Wisconsin.

This week, it was revealed that the state’s top election official, Meagan Wolfe, was interviewed by investigators as the special counsel continues to dig into the 2020 election.

“Administrator Wolfe cooperated with the subpoena and appeared in person before DOJ and Federal Bureau of Investigation officials in April,” Wisconsin Elections Commission spokesperson Riley Vetterkind confirmed in a statement.

Regardless of what Attorney General Kaul decides to do, there is still a lawsuit against the 10 Republicans who allegedly posed as electors in Wisconsin. The suit seeks $2.4 million in damages from those involved, which include:

  • Andrew Hitt (the former chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin)
  • Robert Spindell (a current commissioner on the Wisconsin Elections Commission)
  • Kelly Ruh
  • Carol Brunner
  • Edward Scott Grabins
  • Bill Feehan
  • Kathy Kiernan
  • Darryl Carlson
  • Pam Travis
  • Mary Buestrin

"As stated publicly in court documents, and in discussions with reporters in the days prior to and after electors met in the state Capitol, Wisconsin Republican electors met in accordance with state statutory guidelines, on the advice of attorneys, and with precedence, to preserve all legal options that were being pursued and were still pending before the courts,” WisGOP Executive Director Mark Jefferson said in a statement regarding the alternate slate. “It is our understanding that had the courts come to a different conclusion, a meeting would have had to have taken place in order for Wisconsin's electoral votes to have counted." 

The trial is scheduled for September, just two months before the 2024 presidential election.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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