Elections officials in Wisconsin discover a clerk violated laws due to uncounted ballots issue.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission has released a report detailing several violations of election laws by the former Madison city clerk, Maribeth Witzel-Behl, during the November 2024 General Election. The commission voted 5-1 to accept the report, which found that Witzel-Behl failed to properly supervise absentee ballot handling and had lapses in training regarding ballot storage and handling procedures.
The investigation concluded that the failure to count nearly 200 absentee ballots in Madison resulted from a combination of errors, including inadequate protocols for transporting and documenting ballots. There was also a delay in notifying the commission about the discovered uncounted ballots.
Despite the findings, the commission has stated that the missing ballots did not affect the outcome of any election race. Witzel-Behl resigned as the Madison city clerk in April 2025 amid these investigations.
In response to the report, the commission is preparing an order for procedural changes to prevent similar incidents in the future. This includes modifications to absentee ballot handling, poll book procedures, and training requirements for election staff.
Commissioners expressed shock at how the Madison clerk handled the missing ballots, with Republican commissioner Don Millis stating, "These are mistakes that could have been avoided."
However, it is important to note that the commission does not have the power to bring charges, and there is no intention to refer the case to prosecutors for possible charges. The report does not recommend that prosecutors do so either.
The commission has given Madison until Aug. 7 to respond before voting a week later on whether to order additional steps to be taken. Haas, the city attorney and interim clerk, has urged the commission to delay a vote on the recommendations, citing the city's implementation of numerous safeguards and procedures to ensure all eligible absentee ballots are accounted for.
Four voters whose ballots weren't counted have filed claims for $175,000 each, the first step toward a class-action lawsuit. The commission's findings and recommendations underscore the importance of proper election procedures and the need for ongoing training and oversight to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
[1] Wisconsin State Journal. (2025, April 1). Madison city clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl resigns amid elections commission investigation. Retrieved from https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/maribeth-witzel-behl-resigns-as-madison-city-clerk-amid-elections-commission-investigation/article_62c17868-585a-5753-b710-d926089868e9.html
[2] Wisconsin Public Radio. (2025, April 1). Madison city clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl resigns amid elections commission investigation. Retrieved from https://www.wpr.org/madison-city-clerk-maribeth-witzel-behl-resigns-amid-elections-commission-investigation
[3] Wisconsin Elections Commission. (2025). Report of the Investigation into the Madison City Clerk's Office. Retrieved from https://elections.wi.gov/node/2656
[4] Wisconsin State Journal. (2025, June 1). Wisconsin Elections Commission recommends changes to Madison's election procedures. Retrieved from https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/wisconsin-elections-commission-recommends-changes-to-madisons-election-procedures/article_6c19e85a-0175-562e-b20e-62b5e1716e2a.html
- The Wisconsin Elections Commission's report, following the investigation into the Madison city clerk's office, highlights the need for improvements in policy-and-legislation regarding absentee ballot handling, poll book procedures, and training requirements for election staff, given the incidents that occurred during the November 2024 General Election.
- The failure to properly manage the absentee ballots in Madison during the November 2024 General Election, as detailed in the report by the Wisconsin Elections Commission, underscores the importance of maintaining high standards in politics and general-news reporting, to ensure the public is adequately informed about elections and any issues that arise.
