Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel to dispatch "election integrity teams" on November 8th

MADISON — Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel says he plans to once again send what he's calling "election integrity teams" around the state on election day -- November 8th.


The Republican attorney general announced Wednesday, November 2nd that the teams will be made up of assistant attorney generals and state Justice Department special agents.

They'll monitor polls in Brown, Dane, Outagamie and Milwaukee counties as well as the cities of Eau Claire, Kenosha, La Crosse, Racine, Stevens Point, Waukesha and Wausau.

The teams will look for electioneering, observer misconduct and wrongful denial of the right to vote.

The Justice Department started sending such teams out in 2004. The agency also has deployed them in 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014.

Below is a statement from Schimel's office on this initiative:

Wisconsin voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 and Attorney General Brad Schimel is continuing the practice of deploying Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) election integrity teams around the state on Election Day.

“Voters in Wisconsin must have faith that when they cast their ballot, the integrity of their vote will be protected,” said Attorney General Schimel. “Our election integrity teams are well prepared to protect the democratic process in our state on Election Day.”

Assistant attorneys general and special agents from the Division of Criminal Investigation will be sent in teams to the counties Brown, Dane, Outagamie, Rock, Milwaukee, as well as the cities of Eau Claire, Kenosha, La Crosse, Racine, Stevens Point, Waukesha, and Wausau.

Election integrity teams from DOJ monitor polling sites for such violations as electioneering, observer misconduct, or wrongful denial of right to vote. The teams also provide assistance to local law enforcement and district attorneys if requested, and are on site and have a statewide presence to deal with any required DOJ legal action.

DOJ began providing election integrity efforts in 2004, under Attorney General Peg Lautenschalger, and were continued in the 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014 general elections, and the 2012 recall election, under Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen.

If you suspect a violation of election law at a polling place, contact your local election authorities or law enforcement. You can also report your complaints to the Wisconsin Elections Commission online or by calling 1-866-VOTE-WIS.