Election Fraud Activist Convicted of Identity Theft and Election Fraud

A Wisconsin man who claimed the 2020 election was marred by widespread fraud has been found guilty of election fraud and identity theft himself

Background on the Case

A jury in Racine County has convicted Harry Wait, a 71-year-old Wisconsin man, of two misdemeanor election fraud charges and one felony identity theft charge. The conviction stems from Wait's actions in requesting the ballots of Republican state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Democratic Racine Mayor Cory Mason without their consent. Wait was acquitted of a second count of identity theft. The trial, which lasted two days, concluded with the jury delivering a verdict that has significant implications for Wait and his group, which has been at the forefront of making false election claims.

The Motivations Behind Wait's Actions

Wait has been an outspoken advocate for the claim that Wisconsin's elections are riddled with fraud, and he has also maintained that President Donald Trump won the 2020 election, despite Trump losing Wisconsin by about 21,000 votes. In 2022, Wait admitted to requesting Vos' and Mason's ballots in an attempt to prove that the state's voter registration system is vulnerable to fraud. His actions were seen as a test of the system, and Wait has stated that he was not surprised by the charges brought against him. In fact, Wait has said that he "would do it again" because he believes that the system failed by allowing him to request the ballots without the consent of the individuals involved.

Reaction to the Verdict

The verdict has sparked a range of reactions, with some praising Wait's actions as a form of "white hat hacking," a term used by Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson to describe Wait's efforts in 2022. However, others have criticized Wait's actions as a form of election fraud and identity theft. Wait's attorney, Joe Bugni, has not responded to requests for comment on whether he will appeal the verdict. Wait faces up to six years in prison on the felony conviction and up to a year in jail on each of the misdemeanor convictions. The case bears some similarities to a 2024 case in which a former Milwaukee election official, Kimberly Zapata, was found guilty of misconduct in office after obtaining three military absentee ballots using fake names and Social Security numbers.

Implications of the Conviction

The conviction of Harry Wait has significant implications for the debate over election fraud and the security of Wisconsin's voter registration system. While Wait's actions were seen by some as a form of activism, they have also been widely criticized as a form of election fraud and identity theft. The case highlights the importance of ensuring the integrity of the electoral process and the need for robust safeguards to prevent fraud and abuse. As Wait awaits sentencing, his case serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges involved in balancing the need for election security with the need to protect the rights of voters and ensure the integrity of the democratic process.

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