My teammates at Crooks and Liars have come up with even more interesting information about Wisconsin vote fraud:
And why, just by coincidence, this very scenario was something Gov. Scott Walker warned against the day before — but he was only worried about it coming from the other side!
Kloppenburg declared victory on the basis of a final statewide tally which showed her separated from Justice David Prosser by just 204 votes. “The numbers show that we won, and we are gratified to have that victory in hand,” she said. The victory is not quite in Kloppenburg’s grasp, however.
A recount could begin as soon as next week. “As long as the rules are clear, as long as there aren’t ballots somehow found out of the blue that weren’t counted before, things of that nature, as long as everything’s above board, I think that’s fair,” said Walker.
IOKIYAR, however.
And wouldn’t you know? Back in 2002, this very same Republican clerk played a dubious role — obtaining immunity from prosecution in exchange for her cooperation — in an investigation into illegal political activity:
WAUKESHA — A candidate for Waukesha County clerk is one of several caucus workers who was granted immunity from prosecution in the criminal investigation into illegal campaigning on state time.
Kathy Nickolaus, 42, a Republican, said she hopes voters will accept her role in the ongoing scandal — but she can’t talk about it.
“I can’t really say anything about the probe,” she said. “I was offered immunity and I took it.”
Nickolaus, who lives near Oconomowoc, worked for 13 years as a data analyst and computer specialist for the Assembly Republican caucus, one of four GOP and Democratic legislative groups now under scrutiny.
District attorneys are investigating whether caucus employees did illegal political work on state time.
Nickolaus resigned from her state job May 10 and launched a campaign for county clerk. She said she is under orders not to say anything about the investigation.
“I expected this to come out, and I expected to get questions,” she said. “I believe in open and accountable government.”
But some people said they are concerned about Nickolaus’ history, because the county clerk oversees elections.
Republican opponent Kathy Milbrath-Karalewitz, 41, the Menomonee Falls village clerk, said her decision to enter the race was solidified when she heard a former state caucus worker with no clerk experience wanted the job.
“I don’t think voters want that today,” she said. “They want someone who’s honest and up front.”
Nickolaus has not been accused of any wrongdoing, and her campaign is drawing support from some high-profile Republicans in Waukesha County.
Something stinks to high heaven in Wisconsin. This may take the Justice Department to clean this up.
Karoli adds:
There’s more. In 2006, she had some difficulty with absentee ballots. In 2006 again, we have her using the exact same excuse for why she accidentally reported one candidate ahead when the other one really was. Seems she moved data into the wrong column. We’ve heard that one before, haven’t we? In 2007 she blamed touch screen voting machines for flipping a school board election result. The margin? One vote.
In 2004, she had another “oopsie moment” and sent out sample ballots instructing voters to vote for her favorite candidate. Also in 2004, incorrect ballots went to voters in two different districts, so that 83 votes were cast for the wrong candidates. And it seems that close races are something common in Waukesha County.
But fear not. Our brave Waukesha County Clerk is a passionate proponent of Voter ID laws and appears to be an ardent pro-lifer. I imagine from the description in that post that she would be heartbroken to see Wisconsin’s Supreme Court tilt any way but hard right.
Oh, also? Kathy Nickolaus was a staffer for…wait for it…David Prosser.
Great reporting!