Despite high stakes for energy future, Wisconsin’s utilities scale back campaign spending — so far
The state’s largest utilities are on track to contribute less to political campaigns than in recent gubernatorial elections. Their giving increasingly favors legislative races, with Democrats gaining ground on Republicans.
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Elections
Wisconsin election officials issue guidance for handling federal agents at polls
Election officials in Wisconsin approved guidance for local clerks to help them know what to do if federal law enforcement officials show up at the polls on Election Day, as some activists fear might happen.
Wisconsin officials can count ballots that arrive late if officials make errors, judge rules
The order came after Madison voters sued to have officials count ballots that arrived at the city on time but didn’t make it to the polls by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
As data centers remain potent political issue, David Crowley offers plan to regulate artificial intelligence in Wisconsin
Crowley wants to limit AI chatbots for children under 13 and increase penalties for circulating AI-generated sexual images of minors.
Fact Briefs – bite-sized fact checks of trending claims
Is a Wisconsin ballot disqualified if a poll worker writes on it?
No. Two poll workers must initial ballots in Wisconsin. A viral Facebook claim saying otherwise has been debunked multiple times.
Have David Crowley and Tom Tiffany both expressed support for data centers?
Yes. The Democratic candidate has suggested Wisconsin could become a global hub while the Republican candidate has voted for a bill to speed the permitting process.
Videos from Wisconsin Watch
Opinion
Guest opinion: End Wisconsin’s ban on fusion voting to expand political choice
Anoop Prakash and Tom Florsheim Jr. argue that Wisconsin’s century-old ban on fusion voting protects the two-party duopoly, limits voter choice and weakens political competition. Allowing the practice would make elected officials more accountable.
Guest opinion: Wisconsin should measure whether service programs meet basic needs
Counting people served and dollars spent isn’t enough. Wisconsin should track whether public programs actually provide safe, timely and affordable access to life’s essentials, Reed Lokken argues.
Guest opinion: Wisconsin should stop erasing ‘street time’ after prison
In erasing years of “street time” following a revocation, Wisconsin turns extended supervision into a revolving door that discounts progress made after prison, Andrew Drasen argues.
