What we know (and don't know) about Milwaukee's plan to handle elections under new leadership

Days after Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson announced that Election Commission Executive Director Claire Woodall would not be reappointed, few details have emerged about how the administration plans to ensure that November’s closely watched presidential election will go smoothly.

Johnson announced Monday that he planned to nominate Election Commission Deputy Director Paulina Gutiérrez to take the helm of the commission. Gutiérrez was appointed deputy director in early 2023, after the 2022 midterm election.

Johnson's spokesman, Jeff Fleming, on Wednesday said Gutiérrez would be provided staff, money for equipment and the commission's work, and people from city government to staff polling locations and central count, the single location where the city's absentee ballots are counted. Woodall earlier this year gained approval from the Common Council and Johnson to accept grants for nearly $800,000 for election equipment and $250,000 for voter education.

"There's some very knowledgeable people within city government right now who have worked regularly at different locations. I've worked central count on a number of occasions. So, there are people who know the operations and, when needed, we will find outside resources as well," Fleming said. "But, frankly, there's already a high level of confidence that the elections coming up this year will be run well."




https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/05/09/what-we-know-about-milwaukees-election-plans-after-leadership-shakeup/73612140007/