MILWAUKEE, WI — With less than a month until the November midterm elections, 53 Wisconsin business and civic leaders from across the political spectrum are speaking out against growing federal pressure on the state’s election system, warning that political interference threatens the rule of law, public confidence and the stable institutions that underpin Wisconsin’s economy.
In an open letter organized by the Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy, the signers—including Republicans, Independents and Democrats—affirmed their commitment to protecting every eligible citizen’s right to vote, defending local election officials, and respecting lawful election outcomes regardless of which candidates prevail.
The open letter comes as Wisconsin election officials prepare for potential federal law enforcement activity at polling places ahead of November’s midterm elections. Recent reporting confirms that local clerks are receiving training on how to respond if armed federal agents appear at voting locations. On October 1, the Wisconsin Department of Justice also issued a public warning against voter intimidation and threats to election workers, emphasizing that federal law generally prohibits deploying armed federal personnel to active polling places. These developments follow a Department of Homeland Security investigation into alleged voter fraud in nine states, including Wisconsin, and continued federal inquiries into the state’s 2020 election results.
“A strong economy depends on respect for our elections and the rule of law,” the leaders wrote. “Respect for the rule of law and reliable government institutions are among America’s greatest competitive advantages. Businesses invest, hire, and expand when rules are predictable and institutions are stable.”
Wisconsin’s elections are administered locally, with established safeguards including paper ballots, publicly tested voting equipment, transparent procedures and bipartisan oversight. Allegations of widespread election fraud have been repeatedly investigated and litigated without evidence establishing fraud sufficient to change statewide election outcomes.
Yet federal investigations launched in the final weeks before an election risk creating uncertainty and undermining public confidence in the very institutions responsible for ensuring that every eligible vote is counted.
“This isn’t about Republicans or Democrats. It’s about protecting the rules that make our democracy—and our economy—work,” said Tom Florsheim, a founding member of Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy. “Wisconsin voters should decide Wisconsin elections. Our election officials should be able to do their jobs without intimidation or political interference, and every lawful vote should be counted. Those principles should unite us, regardless of party.”
The 53 leaders committed to standing together to:
- Defend every eligible citizen’s right to vote and have that vote counted.
- Support impartial, transparent election administration free from politically timed interference.
- Stand with Wisconsin election officials against threats and intimidation.
- Correct demonstrably false claims about Wisconsin’s elections, regardless of their source.
- Speak publicly and collectively if lawful certification is obstructed or election results are challenged outside established legal processes.
The signers emphasized that legitimate allegations of election misconduct should be investigated and resolved through established legal processes. Their concern is with actions that risk politicizing election administration, intimidating voters or election workers, or undermining confidence in lawful results.
“The strength of Wisconsin’s business community has always depended on our ability to work across differences,” said Anoop Prakash. “We may disagree about candidates and policies, but we should never disagree about whether eligible voters can cast their ballots, whether election officials can do their jobs, or whether lawful election results must be respected. Those are the foundations of a functioning democracy and a strong economy.”
The statement also recognizes the tens of thousands of Wisconsinites who serve as election officials and poll workers, often working long hours to administer elections accurately, securely and transparently.
As Election Day approaches, Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy is calling on leaders across the political spectrum to reaffirm their commitment to free and fair elections, reject intimidation and misinformation, and ensure that the will of Wisconsin voters—not political pressure—determines the outcome.
“Our commitment is not to a party or candidate,” the leaders concluded. “It is to the rules and institutions that let Wisconsinites choose their leaders—and that give businesses the confidence to invest in Wisconsin’s future.”
The full statement and list of 53 signatories are available at HERE.
