Alexander Shur
@alexandershur.bsky.social
Covering Wisconsin election administration for @Votebeat.org | You ain’t gonna learn what you don’t want to know
You know the Monday processing bill -- the long-awaited reform that Wisconsin election officials have spent years asking for?
Well, as the GOP remains torn between election reforms sought by clerks and conspiracy theories, this looks like another session it won't become law.
Well, as the GOP remains torn between election reforms sought by clerks and conspiracy theories, this looks like another session it won't become law.
November 14, 2025 at 4:38 PM
You know the Monday processing bill -- the long-awaited reform that Wisconsin election officials have spent years asking for?
Well, as the GOP remains torn between election reforms sought by clerks and conspiracy theories, this looks like another session it won't become law.
Well, as the GOP remains torn between election reforms sought by clerks and conspiracy theories, this looks like another session it won't become law.
BREAKING story:
Wisconsin must verify citizenship of registered voters and new applicants, judge rules
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
Wisconsin must verify citizenship of registered voters and new applicants, judge rules
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
Wisconsin judge orders citizenship checks for all voters
The ruling doesn’t specify how state agencies should handle the task, but sets a target for completion: the next election, in February.
www.votebeat.org
October 3, 2025 at 11:01 PM
BREAKING story:
Wisconsin must verify citizenship of registered voters and new applicants, judge rules
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
Wisconsin must verify citizenship of registered voters and new applicants, judge rules
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
Reposted by Alexander Shur
“I don’t give a shit about getting my head kicked in by both sides.”
GOP Rep. Scott Krug hopes to quiet conspiracy theories and rebuild public faith in elections — even if his proposals don’t make it.
Great profile from @alexandershur.bsky.social wisconsinwatch.org/2025/09/wisc...
GOP Rep. Scott Krug hopes to quiet conspiracy theories and rebuild public faith in elections — even if his proposals don’t make it.
Great profile from @alexandershur.bsky.social wisconsinwatch.org/2025/09/wisc...
State Rep. Scott Krug emerges as GOP’s voice of pragmatism on Wisconsin election policy
Veteran lawmaker hopes to quiet the conspiracy theories and rebuild public faith — even if his proposals don’t make it.
wisconsinwatch.org
September 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM
“I don’t give a shit about getting my head kicked in by both sides.”
GOP Rep. Scott Krug hopes to quiet conspiracy theories and rebuild public faith in elections — even if his proposals don’t make it.
Great profile from @alexandershur.bsky.social wisconsinwatch.org/2025/09/wisc...
GOP Rep. Scott Krug hopes to quiet conspiracy theories and rebuild public faith in elections — even if his proposals don’t make it.
Great profile from @alexandershur.bsky.social wisconsinwatch.org/2025/09/wisc...
NEW: For years, Wisconsin election officials' top legislative priority have been lobbying for a bill to process absentee ballots beginning on the Monday before an election.
Votebeat got an early look at this year's version of the bill (cont.)
Votebeat got an early look at this year's version of the bill (cont.)
September 18, 2025 at 2:02 PM
NEW: For years, Wisconsin election officials' top legislative priority have been lobbying for a bill to process absentee ballots beginning on the Monday before an election.
Votebeat got an early look at this year's version of the bill (cont.)
Votebeat got an early look at this year's version of the bill (cont.)
Reposted by Alexander Shur
Calling all pet people who care about voting! www.votebeat.org/2025/09/04/v...
Help us with a project: Vote for Votebeat’s new pet mascot
Votebeat is working on a project that illustrates and explains how ranked choice voting works, so we decided to ask readers to vote.
www.votebeat.org
September 5, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Calling all pet people who care about voting! www.votebeat.org/2025/09/04/v...
There’s a rare but critical inaccuracy in Jessica’s post. We do want to know who our pet mascot should be, we are exploring ranked choice voting. But you must first and foremost vote for Samson*
@votebeat.org wants to know who our PET MASCOT should be. And guess what, WE ARE DOING RANKED CHOICE VOTING.
Find out what ranked choice voting even is, and also vote for Walter here ty: www.votebeat.org/2025/09/04/v...
Find out what ranked choice voting even is, and also vote for Walter here ty: www.votebeat.org/2025/09/04/v...
Help us with a project: Vote for Votebeat’s new pet mascot
Votebeat is working on a project that illustrates and explains how ranked choice voting works, so we decided to ask readers to vote.
www.votebeat.org
September 4, 2025 at 11:22 PM
There’s a rare but critical inaccuracy in Jessica’s post. We do want to know who our pet mascot should be, we are exploring ranked choice voting. But you must first and foremost vote for Samson*
Last month, I reported on how Wisconsin election officials wanted weren't completely satisfied with the state's in-house e-pollbook, Badger Book. Wisconsin Elections Commission formed a work group to learn about other options. (1/2)
July 28, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Last month, I reported on how Wisconsin election officials wanted weren't completely satisfied with the state's in-house e-pollbook, Badger Book. Wisconsin Elections Commission formed a work group to learn about other options. (1/2)
🧵NEW: WEC appointees yesterday questioned why the former Madison clerk was absent as 193 ballots were missing.
Records obtained by Votebeat show she was having a baking "staycation" amid the snafu, and when she returned to work she had staff deliver cookies around the city
Records obtained by Votebeat show she was having a baking "staycation" amid the snafu, and when she returned to work she had staff deliver cookies around the city
July 18, 2025 at 1:49 PM
🧵NEW: WEC appointees yesterday questioned why the former Madison clerk was absent as 193 ballots were missing.
Records obtained by Votebeat show she was having a baking "staycation" amid the snafu, and when she returned to work she had staff deliver cookies around the city
Records obtained by Votebeat show she was having a baking "staycation" amid the snafu, and when she returned to work she had staff deliver cookies around the city
The WEC report into the missing Madison ballots (vaguely) spotlighted security issues at the Dane County-owned facility where the city stored election materials -- and, inadvertently, uncounted ballots. (1/2)
July 16, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The WEC report into the missing Madison ballots (vaguely) spotlighted security issues at the Dane County-owned facility where the city stored election materials -- and, inadvertently, uncounted ballots. (1/2)
The U.S. DOJ under Trump withdrew from several voting cases that Biden launched nationwide. Not so in Wisconsin, where it's still pursuing a case against a town that disavowed electronic voting machines.
On Monday, an appeals court ruled in favor of the DOJ (1/2)
On Monday, an appeals court ruled in favor of the DOJ (1/2)
July 16, 2025 at 2:07 PM
The U.S. DOJ under Trump withdrew from several voting cases that Biden launched nationwide. Not so in Wisconsin, where it's still pursuing a case against a town that disavowed electronic voting machines.
On Monday, an appeals court ruled in favor of the DOJ (1/2)
On Monday, an appeals court ruled in favor of the DOJ (1/2)
Wisconsin proposal to require simple explanations of ballot questions needs work, critics say
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
Wisconsin bill to help voters understand ballot questions has flaws, critics say
The key to any plain-language requirement is user testing, an expert says — giving drafts to readers and checking whether they understand them as intended. The Wisconsin proposal doesn’t do that.
www.votebeat.org
June 16, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Wisconsin proposal to require simple explanations of ballot questions needs work, critics say
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
I wrote about what the DOJ's letter to Wisconsin over an alleged HAVA violation means, including commentary that WEC likely is violating the law. Story features a @jenafifield.bsky.social scoop of a DOJ letter also sent to Arizona
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
U.S. threatens Arizona and Wisconsin over alleged election law violations
The letters are an early sign of how the Trump’s administration is scrutinizing state election practices after his executive order on elections.
www.votebeat.org
June 5, 2025 at 10:57 PM
I wrote about what the DOJ's letter to Wisconsin over an alleged HAVA violation means, including commentary that WEC likely is violating the law. Story features a @jenafifield.bsky.social scoop of a DOJ letter also sent to Arizona
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
Conservatives and some liberals opposed the Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision to limit who can appeal WEC administrative complaints to court. But they can't agree on how to expand standing again, and clerks fear an onslaught of lawsuits:
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
Wisconsin bill could push more election disputes into the court system
The GOP-backed bill would allow more Wisconsin residents to challenge rulings by the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Clerks are worried that it could lead to harassment and more litigation.
www.votebeat.org
June 4, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Conservatives and some liberals opposed the Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision to limit who can appeal WEC administrative complaints to court. But they can't agree on how to expand standing again, and clerks fear an onslaught of lawsuits:
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
Reposted by Alexander Shur
🚨Two important new voting stories out of Texas this morning and up @votebeat.org, both urgent and important. 🧵
To start, Texas' bid to pass a citizenship proof requirement for voters appears likely dead this legislative session - it missed a key House deadline Tuesday.
To start, Texas' bid to pass a citizenship proof requirement for voters appears likely dead this legislative session - it missed a key House deadline Tuesday.
May 28, 2025 at 12:01 PM
🚨Two important new voting stories out of Texas this morning and up @votebeat.org, both urgent and important. 🧵
To start, Texas' bid to pass a citizenship proof requirement for voters appears likely dead this legislative session - it missed a key House deadline Tuesday.
To start, Texas' bid to pass a citizenship proof requirement for voters appears likely dead this legislative session - it missed a key House deadline Tuesday.
🧵Wisconsin Republicans are seeking to require every municipality to offer at least 20 hours of early in-person voting, compensating local communities that launch early voting
It's a big step forward for local election funding, but clerks say there are some issues w/ the bill
It's a big step forward for local election funding, but clerks say there are some issues w/ the bill
May 27, 2025 at 2:22 PM
🧵Wisconsin Republicans are seeking to require every municipality to offer at least 20 hours of early in-person voting, compensating local communities that launch early voting
It's a big step forward for local election funding, but clerks say there are some issues w/ the bill
It's a big step forward for local election funding, but clerks say there are some issues w/ the bill
🧵In outstate Wisconsin, longtime clerks are retiring -and few people are eager to replace them. Some towns are going months without having a clerk. That's partially because they are bound by a state law that makes it harder for them to appoint clerks that aren't town residents
May 5, 2025 at 2:39 PM
🧵In outstate Wisconsin, longtime clerks are retiring -and few people are eager to replace them. Some towns are going months without having a clerk. That's partially because they are bound by a state law that makes it harder for them to appoint clerks that aren't town residents
NEW: Madison Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl, who was on leave from her position after nearly 200 ballots went uncounted in November, has resigned. Some background here:
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
Madison, Wis., puts clerk on leave amid probe into how 200 November ballots got lost
The chair of the Wisconsin Election Commission points to “profoundly bad decisions” by the clerk’s office. The city attorney will fill in and oversee the April 1 election.
www.votebeat.org
April 14, 2025 at 4:59 PM
NEW: Madison Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl, who was on leave from her position after nearly 200 ballots went uncounted in November, has resigned. Some background here:
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
Want to drop off the Wisconsin ballot? Well, first you'll have to ... die. Sorry folks. GOP legislators are discussing a proposal to let nominees drop out voluntarily -- a policy in dozens of other states. I talked to clerks about whether they can work with the tight deadlines
April 9, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Want to drop off the Wisconsin ballot? Well, first you'll have to ... die. Sorry folks. GOP legislators are discussing a proposal to let nominees drop out voluntarily -- a policy in dozens of other states. I talked to clerks about whether they can work with the tight deadlines
Reposted by Alexander Shur
People living with mental illness find work, care and community at a clubhouse built for them in Madison.
But Medicaid cuts would threaten funding, and Wisconsin invests little in a health care model that’s thriving in Michigan. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/04/wisc... via @addiecostello.bsky.social
But Medicaid cuts would threaten funding, and Wisconsin invests little in a health care model that’s thriving in Michigan. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/04/wisc... via @addiecostello.bsky.social
Madison's Yahara House serves people living with mental illness
But funding for the clubhouse is scarce, and Wisconsin invests little in a health care model that’s thriving in Michigan.
wisconsinwatch.org
April 3, 2025 at 1:35 PM
People living with mental illness find work, care and community at a clubhouse built for them in Madison.
But Medicaid cuts would threaten funding, and Wisconsin invests little in a health care model that’s thriving in Michigan. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/04/wisc... via @addiecostello.bsky.social
But Medicaid cuts would threaten funding, and Wisconsin invests little in a health care model that’s thriving in Michigan. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/04/wisc... via @addiecostello.bsky.social
One of my enlightening reporting experiences at @votebeat.org so far was being able to shadow Denise Jess, who's blind, at the polls this past Saturday. I wrote up her story as just one examples of the hurdles that voters who are blind face at the polls -- even with assistance.
April 1, 2025 at 3:16 PM
One of my enlightening reporting experiences at @votebeat.org so far was being able to shadow Denise Jess, who's blind, at the polls this past Saturday. I wrote up her story as just one examples of the hurdles that voters who are blind face at the polls -- even with assistance.
🧵Washington County is the state's 10th biggest county by voting age, but has the 4th highest early in-person voting turnout. How?
For two elections, the county has been compensating local clerks who extend their early voting hours. Now, small towns offer Saturday/night voting
For two elections, the county has been compensating local clerks who extend their early voting hours. Now, small towns offer Saturday/night voting
How one Wisconsin county helped expand early-voting hours and boost turnout
County leaders say voters in the Republican stronghold deserve the same flexibility that Democratic areas such as Milwaukee offer.
www.votebeat.org
March 28, 2025 at 1:30 PM
🧵Washington County is the state's 10th biggest county by voting age, but has the 4th highest early in-person voting turnout. How?
For two elections, the county has been compensating local clerks who extend their early voting hours. Now, small towns offer Saturday/night voting
For two elections, the county has been compensating local clerks who extend their early voting hours. Now, small towns offer Saturday/night voting
What is a vote worth?
In a recent claim — and a likely forthcoming lawsuit — the Wisconsin election law group is asking that exact question for a group of nearly 200 voters whose ballots didn’t get counted in November. In the claim, they’re asking $175k per voter
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
In a recent claim — and a likely forthcoming lawsuit — the Wisconsin election law group is asking that exact question for a group of nearly 200 voters whose ballots didn’t get counted in November. In the claim, they’re asking $175k per voter
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
Madison ballot mixup raises a $34 million question: How much is a vote worth?
A liberal group’s complaint pegs the amount at $175,000 each.
www.votebeat.org
March 20, 2025 at 5:04 PM
What is a vote worth?
In a recent claim — and a likely forthcoming lawsuit — the Wisconsin election law group is asking that exact question for a group of nearly 200 voters whose ballots didn’t get counted in November. In the claim, they’re asking $175k per voter
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
In a recent claim — and a likely forthcoming lawsuit — the Wisconsin election law group is asking that exact question for a group of nearly 200 voters whose ballots didn’t get counted in November. In the claim, they’re asking $175k per voter
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
I wrote about the constant election litigation in Wisconsin and the effect it has on clerks, voters and institutions. This is a topic I'll be revisiting a few times in the next few weeks.
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
Why more of Wisconsin’s election law disputes are ending up in court
The state Supreme Court’s reversals have emboldened activists to file more legal challenges, leaving local clerks and voters to deal with the fallout.
www.votebeat.org
March 19, 2025 at 2:30 PM
I wrote about the constant election litigation in Wisconsin and the effect it has on clerks, voters and institutions. This is a topic I'll be revisiting a few times in the next few weeks.
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
Madison, Wisconsin, puts city clerk on leave amid investigation into missing November ballots
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
Madison, Wis., puts clerk on leave amid probe into how 200 November ballots got lost
The chair of the Wisconsin Election Commission points to “profoundly bad decisions” by the clerk’s office. The city attorney will fill in and oversee the April 1 election.
www.votebeat.org
March 12, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Madison, Wisconsin, puts city clerk on leave amid investigation into missing November ballots
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/20...
BREAKING: Madison Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl has been placed on leave through the April election as the city and state probe how she and her staff let 193 ballots go uncounted in the November election.
March 12, 2025 at 3:26 PM
BREAKING: Madison Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl has been placed on leave through the April election as the city and state probe how she and her staff let 193 ballots go uncounted in the November election.