ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Election fraud. Rigged voting machines. Noncitizens flooding the voter rolls. The Trump administration has been seeding these lies for years — and it’s working. People are confused, scared, and some are wondering whether their vote even matters anymore.
It does. And in this episode, I sit down with Ann Jacobs — former chair of the Wisconsin Elections Commission and one of the most important election integrity voices in the country — to set the record straight.
Ann led Wisconsin through the contested 2020 presidential election, certified the results under enormous pressure, received threats, had photos of her home posted online, faced calls to resign — and didn’t budge. Now, as the Trump administration attempts to seize state voter rolls, intimidate election officials, and undermine public confidence ahead of the 2026 midterms, she’s back to tell you exactly what’s true and what isn’t.
In this episode we cover: – How Wisconsin’s elections are run – The truth about noncitizen voting — and why Wisconsin’s safeguards are stronger than you think – What DOGE and the Trump DOJ are really doing when they demand your voter data – Why the federal court just rejected the Trump administration’s demand for Wisconsin’s private voter data – The real threat to election integrity — and it’s not what they’re telling you – What happened with the 200 missing Madison ballots and what it means – How voting machines are secured, audited, and protected – What you can do RIGHT NOW to make sure your vote counts in November 2026
WISCONSIN VOTER GUIDE — EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO VOTE IN 2026: CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION: myvote.wi.gov REGISTER ONLINE OR BY MAIL: at least 20 days before the election REGISTER IN PERSON: up to the Friday before Election Day SAME-DAY REGISTRATION: available on Election Day (bring proof of residence) REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT: myvote.wi.gov — no excuse required ABSENTEE REQUEST DEADLINE: 5pm the Thursday before Election Day ABSENTEE BALLOT MUST BE RECEIVED by 8pm on Election Day — mail at least one week early YOU NEED A WITNESS to sign your absentee return envelope EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING: starts 14 days before Election Day, ends the Sunday before PHOTO ID REQUIRED TO VOTE IN PERSON — your WI driver’s license does NOT need to be a federal Real ID FIND YOUR POLLING PLACE: myvote.wi.gov POLLS OPEN: 7am – 8pm on Election Day. If you’re in line at 8pm, you have the right to vote.
If this episode gave you the facts you needed, share it with someone who’s been told their vote doesn’t matter. Because the most powerful thing we can do right now is show up — informed, prepared, and ready. SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. LIKE this video if it was useful. HIT THE BELL so YouTube notifies you when new episodes drop.
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Dr. Kristin Lyerly is an OB-GYN based in northeast Wisconsin and a leading voice on healthcare, politics, and the issues shaping our collective future. As the named physician plaintiff in a landmark Wisconsin abortion decision, she brings a perspective to these conversations that goes beyond politics. New episodes drop every week. Subscribe to stay current on reproductive rights, health politics, all things Wisconsin, and everything else that matters.
Producer: Abraham Lyerly Music: Nic Tierman Graphics: Nathaniel Gonzalez
Guest: Ann Jacobs
