Badgergate!

Badger \Badg"er\, v.t.
to harass or urge persistently; pester; nag

Last week, a complaint was filed against Lake County Clerk Willard Helander for badgering harassing a voter in Racine, Wisconsin. Despite being the Badger State, in Wisconsin complaints of voter intimidation are routinely given to the state DA for investigation and possible prosecution.

Of course, as readers of this blog are breathlessly aware ...

We Don't Need No Stinkin' Badgers

Scandal A does not exist unless Scandal A gets some decent media coverage. And in this case Scandal A -- Badgergate -- is slowly creeping its way to the top of the media food chain. The story, which has been covered by Racine's Journal Times as well as the Patch and the Daily Herald and the Chicago Tribune, is now poised to break into the national consciousness. Because none other than the old gray lady -- the News-Sun -- has picked up the story. The newspaper of record in Lake County reports that ...

Helander claimed she was in Wisconsin to observe the state's practice of same-day registration and to see what problems might occur, citing a "Milwaukee police report that was very disturbing." Same-day registration, under which eligible citizens can register and vote on Election Day, has been offered in Wisconsin since 1976. It's not clear why Helander chose the recall election to observe the practice, or why she presented herself as a volunteer at a largely minority precinct in Racine.
Complaint filed against Lake County Clerk Helander

No doubt the story will pick up some real traction as soon as indictments are issued in Wisconsin. Your LakeCountyEye expects a protracted extradition battle. And if rumors are true, representatives of Gloria Allred and Dog the Bounty Hunter have already expressed an interest. Keep watching this blog for the latest news on Badgergate.