Former Wisconsin Governor Launches Effort to Restore Trust in Elections Ahead of 2024 Presidential Election
Former Wisconsin Governor Scott McCallum is leading a new effort to restore trust in elections ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The Wisconsin Alliance for Civic Trust (WisACT) aims to encourage voter involvement in the electoral process to combat skepticism and misinformation.
McCallum, who served as governor from 2001 to 2003, emphasized the importance of people getting involved in elections, whether by staffing polling places or becoming election observers. He highlighted the messy but essential nature of democracy, urging citizens to participate to maintain faith in the system.
The initiative comes in the wake of continued false claims by former President Donald Trump about winning Wisconsin in the 2020 election. Despite multiple recounts and court challenges confirming President Joe Biden’s victory in the state, Trump has persisted in spreading misinformation.
McCallum refrained from directly criticizing Trump but pointed out that false claims about election results are not limited to one party. He cited Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams’ claims about her 2018 defeat in Georgia as an example of the issue being bipartisan.
The former governor stressed the importance of trusting the legal process and accepting court rulings on election outcomes. He expressed concern about the erosion of faith in institutions and emphasized the need to restore trust in the electoral system.
As Milwaukee prepares to host the Republican National Convention this summer, McCallum was asked about his comfort level with Trump potentially accepting the party’s nomination for president. He likened it to Democrats’ comfort with Joe Biden giving his acceptance speech, highlighting the partisan nature of political events.
Overall, McCallum’s initiative seeks to promote civic engagement and uphold the integrity of elections in Wisconsin and beyond. By encouraging participation and trust in the electoral process, WisACT aims to combat misinformation and restore faith in democracy.