Wisconsin approves statewide polling law enforcement guidance

The Wisconsin Elections Commission voted 5-1 Thursday to adopt guidance for clerks if law enforcement, including federal agents, appear at polls before Nov. 3. Three Democrats and two Republicans supported it; Republican Bob Spindell dissented. Chief inspectors alert the local clerk, who then reaches counsel, the county clerk and Commission staff; officials should review warrants and badges. Law enforcement generally should not be present unless voting or on legitimate duty; armed federal agents and the military are barred absent a foreign armed attack. Spindell called the guidance unnecessary after 201 years and said publicizing it will scare some people from the polls. He said Democrats seem worried about federal agents at polling places. Administrator Meagan Wolfe said hundreds of emails to clerks sought a plan, called the memo routine contingency planning, and said nothing unusual is expected and no one should feel panicked. Republican Don Millis said clerks have many questions but no alarm, and concern should not rise further. A DHS spokesperson told NPR ICE is not planning operations targeting polling locations, though arrests could follow an active public safety threat. President Trump has demurred when asked about sending ICE agents to polling sites.