Actions

WEC Chair, Ann Jacobs, says she was threatened over social media: Report

Posted at 3:24 PM, Dec 10, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-10 16:30:18-05

The chair of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, Ann Jacobs, says she has received threatening messages over social media, including a message mentioning her children and that a "crowd of patriots" will show up at her house, according to the New York Times.

In an article about supporters of President Donald Trump becoming more threatening post-election, Jacobs tells The Times that people on Twitter posted photos of her house in Wisconsin. She said another message mentioned her children, with the message writing that “I’ve heard you’ll have quite a crowd of patriots showing up at your door.”

Jacobs adds that she alerted her neighbors and local police about the "constant" threats, according to the NYT.

The report continued that death threats have also been directed at a Michigan state representative, and that armed people gathered outside the home of the secretary state of Michigan. Georgia elections officials also told The Times they have received death threats.

Wisconsin elections officials, including Jacobs, have repeatedly concluded that no evidence suggesting election fraud was found during the state's presidential election.

President Trump and his supporters have continued to allege there is widespread fraud in Wisconsin and across the country, insisting that the president won the election. President-elect Joe Biden officially received enough electoral college votes to win the presidency.

On Thursday, Wisconsin State Rep. Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) wrote in a statement that "threats against election officials, and their families, are extremely dangerous."

“There is no gray area -- no Wisconsinite should threaten an election official, or her family, and every elected official across this state should speak out in unison to protect our election officials, as they protect our democracy," Vining writes.

Meanwhile, the Trump campaign is suing Wisconsin elections officials, seeking to overturn Biden's win in the state. Trump attorneys have filed suits in both Milwaukee County and federal court. Wisconsin Republicans in the Assembly's Committee on Campaigns and Elections are also considering launching an investigation into the election, at a hearing set for Dec. 11 at 10 a.m.

Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip