As the 2026 midterms approach, President Donald Trump has requested that the U.S. Supreme Court intervene in a case involving mail-in voting. Former U.S. Attorney James Santelle and retired Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Mary Kuhnmuench explain to Point Taken‘s Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey the legal process surrounding the emergency appeal, discussing concerns over the Court’s increasing use of its “shadow docket,” and arguing that “states have the primary authority over election administration.”
They shift to Wisconsin, where they examine Democrats’ lawsuit challenging the Wisconsin Elections Commission’s decision not to allow voters to spoil absentee ballots after Sara Rodriguez left the gubernatorial race and David Crowley re-entered it, weighing both the legal arguments and the practical challenges so close to Election Day.
The panel also go over several recent Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions, including rulings on affirmative action, voter privacy, and guardianship records. Judge Kuhnmuench and Santelle explain how justices balance competing constitutional rights while explaining the legal standards surrounding competency and privacy.
They closed the hour with personal reflections during their “Closing Arguments” segment. Santelle urges listeners to choose kindness amid rising gun violence, recalling the lasting impact of the Oak Creek Sikh Temple shooting and an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case involving firearms. Kuhnmuench reflects on the life and influence of Robert F. Kennedy and his assassination, saying his message of compassion and hope remains relevant as Americans look for leaders who can inspire and unite the country.
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