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.
27 Articles
27 Articles
Uncounted Ballots Discovered in Key 2024 Swing State, Investigation Reveals
A damming investigation has revealed that dozens of absentee ballots went uncounted in Madison after the 2024 election—raising serious concerns in a pivotal swing state. The Wisconsin Elections Commission launched a formal probe earlier this year, uncovering that 193 absentee ballots—voters’ private voices—were overlooked in the November vote. The ballots were found too late, and officials only reported them in mid-December, well after election …


Blistering report on uncounted Madison ballots cites 'complete lack of leadership' in city clerk's office
The six-month investigation included a review of nearly 2,000 pages of documents and 13 depositions with city and county staff and found several errors that contributed to the uncounted ballots

WEC: Madison clerk broke law by not counting 193 absentee ballots
(The Center Square) – A Wisconsin Elections Commission investigation has found former Madison City cCerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl broke the law by leaving 193 absentee ballots uncounted during the 2024 general election.

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.
WEC completes investigation into missing Madison ballots, admonishes former clerk and her staff
MADISON, Wis. -- The Wisconsin Elections Commission has completed its investigation into the City of Madison Clerk's Office after nearly 200 ballots went uncounted during last November's election.
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