Racine Co. Sheriff investigates bag of election materials

RACINE (WITI) - Racine County sheriff’s officials confirmed Thursday, June 14th they are investigating a bag reportedly containing various election materials found outside Racine’s Cesar Chavez Community Center, which served as a polling place during recall voting.

Racine County Sheriff’s Captain Unette Lemke says a citizen brought the bag to the sheriff’s office, and asked that it be examined. The sheriff’s office was reportedly contacted by the Racine County District Attorney’s Office, notifying them the bag would be coming to their office.

Sheriff’s officials say the citizen did not make any allegations, but claimed they found the bag outside the polling place. Captain Lemke did not confirm this Thursday.

A staff member from Racine’s Cesar Chavez Community Center said he received a call from Racine’s County Clerk, asking whether the center had received any complaints of voter irregularities, but he said the center had not.

The Racine County Clerk said Thursday she has received no reports of voter irregularities.

Tuesday’s canvass of votes indicated Democrat John Lehman won the 21st Senate District seat, defeating Republican incumbent Van Wanggaard.

Senator-elect Lehman did not wish to comment on this situation. Wanggaard’s campaign manager said the bag in question did not come from the campaign.

Lehman’s campaign is waiting for a concession from the Wanggaard campaign, and Wanggaard has until Friday, June 15th to decide whether he’ll seek a recount.

“We have had Election Day and now a full canvass by the Board of Canvassers, and he should concede for new leadership with Senator-elect Lehman,” said Brad Wojciechowski, a spokesman for the State Senate Democratic Committee.

“There are just allegations right now, just irregularities, that need to be looked in to. We are going to investigate those fully,” said Justin Phillips, Wanggaard’s campaign manager.