Wisconsin ERIC Agreement Challenge

Lawsuit filed by Wisconsin State Rep. Janel Brandtjen (R) against the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) and its administrator, Meagan Wolfe, challenging the state’s participation in a multistate voter roll database with a third-party organization, the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC). The plaintiff argues that the state’s ERIC agreement violates a new amendment to the state constitution that prohibits government agencies and officials from allowing anyone other than an election official to conduct tasks related to primaries, general elections or referendums, including any tasks related to voter registration. She also argues that the ERIC agreement, which prohibits WEC and other state election agencies from disclosing the data it receives unless they are compelled to do so by court order, violates a state law that gives all citizens the right to access public records. Finally, she argues that the ERIC agreement violates a state law that prohibits sharing personal information without safeguards for confidentiality. The plaintiff asks the court to invalidate WEC’s agreement with ERIC under the state constitution and state law and permanently block WEC from continuing to use or provide ERIC with voter registration data.

STATUS: Brandtjen filed her complaint on Sept. 17, 2024. WEC has not responded yet.

Last updated: October 1, 2024 1:25 pm EST