Kimberly Zapata

Year:

2024

State:

WISCONSIN

Case Type:

CRIMINAL CONVICTION

Fraud Type:

FRAUDULENT USE OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS

Outcome:

Kimberly Zapata, the former Milwaukee Election Commission Deputy Director, was charged by the state with one felony count of misconduct in public office and 3 misdemeanor counts of absentee ballot fraud after requesting military absentee ballots under false names and sending them to a Wisconsin state legislator's home during the 2022 election. Military voters do not have to show a voter ID and Zapata claimed she was a whistleblower trying to expose vulnerabilities in the election system. She used Wisconsin's online voter registration website to request the military absentee ballots and had them sent to the home of Rep. Janel Brandtien (R-Menomoneee Falls). Upon receiving the ballots, Brandtien contacted authorities and the media, and Zapata was fired from her position on the Milwaukee Election Commission. Zapata was found guilty by a jury of all charges and sentenced to 9 months’ imprisonment (which was stayed pending successful completion of 12 months of probation), ordered to complete 120 hours of community service, and ordered to pay $5,657 in fines, assessments, and court costs.

Source(s):

https://herit.ag/465UAKx, https://herit.ag/3LpwMYF, https://herit.ag/3WBrXlv, https://herit.ag/3Lv6cx2