Overseeing campaigns in Wisconsin could be doomed

Switch from nonpartisan judges to 3-3 
board of Republicans and Democrats

There is not a lot of optimism from some about the switch from nonpartisan to partisan boards overseeing political campaigns in Wisconsin. 

Jay Heck with Wisconsin Common Cause paints a dark picture of the decision to replace the nonpartisan Government Accountability Board.

“I think it’s going to be one of scandal,” Heck told WIZM, “and it’ll be remembered as a very dark day when the legislature and Governor Walker destroyed the only nonpartisan entity in the country overseeing elections and ethics.”

If the switch doesn’t lead to scandal, Heck believes it’ll only lead to failure, possibly inaction and probably all three.

The nonpartisan board of retired judges has been replaced with two partisan boards made up of political appointees. 

Its replacement is doomed, Heck believes, as its made up of an equal number of political appointees.

“It’s designed to fail because on a 3-3 vote,” Heck said, “which a lot of these decision will be, nothing happens, there’s no action and nothing goes forward.”

Heck believes the old board, which was dissolved June 19, was too effective.

“The problem was that it worked really well, and it was independent of the partisans, who are always trying to take partisan advantage,” Heck said.