RACINE — The Republican National Committee announced Tuesday that it is suing the City of Racine for allegedly failing to hire the appropriate number of Republican election inspectors for the Aug. 13 primary.
“Racine deliberately excluded Republicans and violated the law,” RNC Chairman Michael Whatley said in the news release. “We are suing to hire the number of Republicans that Wisconsin law requires, stop Democrat interference and uphold election integrity for our country’s most important election.”
Two Republican community members filed the lawsuit in Racine County Circuit Court on Sept. 13 alleging that they were appointed by Common Council to serve as election inspectors but were not scheduled for service during the August primary.
The lawsuit specifically names City Clerk Tara McMenamin as responsible for the breach of Wisconsin statute.
The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction that would prohibit the city clerk from violating the state election law in question. It also seeks to ensure that the two Republican plaintiffs, as well as the rest of the Republicans approved for work as elections inspectors in 2023, be allowed to serve as such during the Nov. 5 general election.
“The City of Racine is committed to hiring election officials who meet all statutory requirements, irrespective of political affiliation,” McMenamin said in a statement. “In anticipation of potential increases in meritless litigation leading up to the presidential election, we are steadfast in maintaining consistent standards. We will continue to adhere to all state and federal laws and provide comprehensive training to ensure that all election officials are fully qualified and well-prepared to serve City residents on this upcoming Election Day.”
Documents attached to the lawsuit show both major parties submitted lists of nominees to Common Council in accordance with state law. On Dec. 5, 2023, the council approved and appointed the nominees to serve as election inspectors for a two-year term.
The Republican Party of Racine County nominated 55 individuals, and the Democratic Party nominated 40.
According to an open records request filed by the law firm suing the city, eight Republicans, seven Democrats and 90 unaffiliated individuals worked at polling locations across the city on Aug. 13.
The allegations assert that Wisconsin law requires all available election inspection positions be first filled by workers who are affiliated with the two major parties. Guidance from the Wisconsin Elections Commission echoes this.
When there are no more eligible, partisan election inspector nominees, the city can appoint unaffiliated individuals to serve.
“Appointments must be made from the lists submitted by the parties for as long as election inspector positions are available,” reads WEC’s Election Administration Manual. “If party lists have been timely received, positions must be filled from the lists until the names on those lists have been depleted.”
The Wisconsin Elections Commission did not immediately respond to request for comment Tuesday.
The allegations come just a week after the Wisconsin Supreme Court heard oral arguments concerning a case alleging Racine’s use of a mobile voting van in a 2022 primary election violated state law.
The mobile van allowed voters to cast absentee ballots in the two weeks leading up to the election, according to a report from the Associated Press
McMenamin said that the intention behind the mobile van was to make voting accessible to as many voters as possible.
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