Haitian American voter in Wisconsin battles through swing state media onslaught 

MILWAUKEE — Getting more than 20 election-related text messages daily is not uncommon for voters here. On social media, their feeds are stuffed with real and fake content about candidates, from presidential to state assembly seats. No media network shies away from filling breaks with political ads. 

Wisconsin is definitely “in play,” meaning that winning its 10 electoral votes is especially critical for Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. 

“I am still trying to understand why the US presidential election goes on for so long in terms of campaigning – two years,” said C.J., a resident of Milwaukee, his voice rising with incredulity.

C.J.,  who requested his real name not be used for the security of his family, is among about 1,200 Haitians who live in Wisconsin, a tiny group in a state of 5.9 million. But the energy he and some other Haitians display, especially for Harris, belies how few of them there are. 

An engineer by trade, he became a naturalized citizen 17 years ago. His green card-holder parents live near him. His two sisters and nephew joined the family in 2023 through the parole program President Joe Biden initiated for Haitians, Cubans, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans.

C.J. voted earlier this week and has been encouraging everyone he knows to choose Harris.

Haiti not a political priority

“In American politics, especially during presidential elections, Haiti is the forbidden place. It’s only remembered [when people] badmouth it,” he said.

Referring to Trump and his vice presidential nominee lying about Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, C.J. said Haiti is used only to create division between Americans. Neither candidate makes it a priority in terms of policy. 

“Why can’t you impose sanctions on these guys from Haiti to prevent them from destabilizing the country,” he asked, a reference to criminal and corruption suspects living freely in Haiti. 

C.J. also wondered why Republicans are so excited to nominate Trump, who has been either convicted or found liable of several crimes. In one business fraud case, he was found guilty of 34 felony counts in a hush-money scheme involving a porn star. Other claims against him are still pending.

Conscience over self-interest

C.J. recognizes that some Haitians who are economically well-off in the U.S. may only look at their pockets instead of the overall well-being of the country.

“I would suggest you not just vote for yourself, but for your future, your kids and families and friends and neighbors,” C.J. said.

“Vote your conscience.”

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