Milwaukee’s election leader, Claire Woodall, has been removed from her position by Mayor Cavalier Johnson, just six months before the city plays a crucial role in the presidential swing state of Wisconsin. Johnson announced that Woodall would be replaced by her deputy, Paulina Gutierrez, citing concerns related to internal issues within the election commission office and city government, although the specifics were not disclosed. The change comes in the wake of past controversies surrounding the 2020 election and ongoing challenges faced by election officials in the state.
Woodall, who has been vocal about the threats and harassment she has faced since the 2020 election, did not comment on the situation. Her replacement, Gutierrez, has been praised by Johnson for her integrity and capabilities, with assurances that the transition will not impact the smooth operation of elections in Milwaukee. Former deputy Kimberly Zapata, who was recently sentenced for misconduct in office and fraud related to fake absentee ballots, argued that she was acting as a whistleblower to expose vulnerabilities in the election system.
Despite the surprising change in leadership, Johnson and other officials involved in elections have emphasized that the transition will not hinder the functioning of the election commission. Neil Albrecht, who previously led the office for 15 years before retiring, has offered to assist as a volunteer. The timing of the decision to replace Woodall came after Johnson’s re-election in April, as he had to renominate all Cabinet-level positions for city council approval, leading to the restructuring within the election commission.
While Woodall and other election commissioners did not provide comments, Democratic member of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, Ann Jacobs, expressed surprise at the move. Jacobs highlighted the collaborative nature of election administration, emphasizing that it relies on the collective efforts of a team rather than individual leadership. With the upcoming election season, all eyes will be on Milwaukee’s election process, and the transition to Gutierrez as the new executive director will play a crucial role in maintaining public trust and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. Despite the challenges and controversies, the focus remains on conducting elections smoothly and efficiently.
