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Blistering Report on Uncounted Madison Ballots Cites 'Complete Lack of Leadership' in City Clerk's Office

DANE COUNTY, WISCONSIN, JUL 9 – An investigation found 193 absentee ballots uncounted due to administrative failures, though the missing votes did not affect election results, the Wisconsin Elections Commission said.

  • The Wisconsin Elections Commission will hold a vote on July 17 to determine whether to approve the findings regarding 193 absentee ballots that were not counted in Madison's November 2024 election.
  • The ballots were uncounted due to procedural failures and a lack of leadership by Madison City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl, who resigned in April after being placed on leave.
  • The investigation found no evidence that courier bags with the ballots were delivered to wards, and Witzel-Behl and staff failed to notify necessary parties or take action after discovering the ballots.
  • The report found that Witzel-Behl violated five election laws, leading to nearly 200 valid ballots not being counted, and described this failure as a total neglect of her duties as city clerk.
  • City officials, led by Acting Clerk Michael Haas, are reviewing the report and have implemented safeguards for future elections, while the commission may issue statewide guidance to prevent similar errors.
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Former Wisconsin clerk who failed to count ballots broke laws, the state's elections commission says

An investigation by Wisconsin's elections commission has concluded that unlawful actions by Madison's former city clerk led to nearly 200 absentee ballots going uncounted in the 2024 presidential election.

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Votebeat broke the news in on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
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