MacIver Monday - Aug. 17, 2026 | Recent News

WISCONSIN (MacIver Institute) -- Now we know the Governor's election matchup: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley vs. Congressman Tom Tiffany.

This week MacIver examines a new poll on the governor’s race, the persistent problems with central count and mail-in ballots, and lessons from other states on reforming welfare administration.

Here’s this week’s roundup of independent, no-nonsense reporting from the MacIver Institute.

Spotlight

Don’t Risk Your Vote: The Growing Dangers of Mailing Your Ballot in Wisconsin

We take a close look at the risks of mailing absentee ballots early—especially in a race where major candidates dropped out and re-entered after tens of thousands of ballots had already been returned. Once sealed and submitted, voters generally cannot change their ballots, and Postal Service delays have repeatedly left valid ballots uncounted. Early in-person or Election Day voting remains the safer option for most Wisconsinites.

Deep Dive

Central Count Must Go: End Wisconsin’s Election Delays and Failures

Wisconsin’s centralized absentee ballot processing system is the root cause of chronic election-night delays, technical failures, and declining public confidence. The latest example came during the August primary, when Milwaukee Central Count experienced memory-stick errors that delayed results past 1 a.m. and produced a late dump of tens of thousands of votes.

The piece rejects “Monday Count” proposals that would expand early processing and instead calls for returning absentee ballot handling to local wards. Most of the state already counts absentees at the ward level—keeping ballots local, distributed, and fully observable on Election Day. Eliminating central count would restore accountability, reduce taxpayer costs, and strengthen confidence in the results.

Read the full article here.

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Coming Soon

Poll: Crowley Leads Tiffany, Republicans Have Work To Do

Benjamin Yount reports on a new Badger Battleground Poll showing Democrat David Crowley holding a narrow 48-44 lead over Republican Tom Tiffany in the race for governor. Crowley also leads among independents and in key battleground Assembly districts.

Crowley enjoys a favorability edge, while Tiffany’s numbers remain underwater. The poll underscores that Republicans have significant work ahead heading into November, both in the gubernatorial race and in legislative contests where generic Democrats currently hold a slight advantage.

Read the full story here.

You Should Know

What Wisconsin Can Learn From Other States' Welfare Systems

Rebecca Draeger continues her examination of Wisconsin’s fragmented safety net by comparing it to more integrated approaches in Utah, Colorado, and Georgia. Utah’s “One-Door” model consolidated agencies and improved outcomes, while Colorado and Georgia built shared backend systems. Wisconsin has a front-door ACCESS portal but still routes applications through separate systems—leaving room for practical reforms that could better serve residents and taxpayers.

Quick Click

Wisconsin Schools Now Spending Nearly $19,000 Per-Student

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has released new per-pupil spending figures showing public schools averaging nearly $19,000 per student. Despite claims that schools are underfunded, spending remains near all-time highs—even after accounting for inflation and declining enrollment.