A jury in Milwaukee County recently convicted Kimberly Zapata, the former deputy director of the Milwaukee Election Commission, of election fraud related to absentee ballots from the previous year. In addition to election fraud, Zapata was found guilty of felony misconduct in public office. Allegedly, she used a fictitious name to request military absentee ballots, which she then sent to the residence of Republican state Representative Janel Brandtjen, a vocal critic of election fraud. Prosecutors argued that Zapata engaged in fraudulent activity and violated public trust, while her attorney claimed she acted as a whistleblower highlighting vulnerabilities in the system.

Zapata, 47, who previously oversaw early voting, absentee voting, and voter registration in Milwaukee, was dismissed from her position and charged in November 2022. She was sentenced in May to 12 months of probation, fined $3,000, and ordered to complete 120 hours of community service. Legal experts called the case “rare” and “unprecedented,” noting it is unusual for election officials to commit fraud as a means to expose flaws. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson emphasized that regardless of intent or scope, Zapata’s actions represented a breach of trust. Meanwhile, the assistant district attorney described her conduct as “an assault on our electoral system,” linking it to broader concerns about election fraud claims fueling violence. Zapata’s attorney insisted she was trying to illuminate a minor flaw and that she has expressed remorse for her actions, hoping her name would be remembered for positive deeds rather than her brief misconduct.