- 200 absentee ballots remained uncounted in Madison’s November election
- Former city clerk resigns amid suspension and dual investigations
- Four voters file $175,000 claims for disenfranchisement
- Republican commissioner cites Milwaukee polling shortages during heated exchange
- Commission remains deadlocked along party lines amid ongoing tensions
The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) descended into chaos Thursday as Democratic Chair Ann Jacobs threatened to eject Republican Commissioner Bob Spindell during a debate about election administration failures. At issue was the discovery of nearly 200 uncounted absentee ballots from Madison’s November elections – an oversight former City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl failed to report for over two weeks after certification. The incident marks Witzel-Behl’s second major error in six months following September’s accidental distribution of 2,000 duplicate ballots.
Commissioners revealed four affected voters have initiated legal proceedings against Dane County, seeking $700,000 collectively for disenfranchisement. While the missing ballots didn’t alter election outcomes, the procedural lapse has intensified scrutiny of Wisconsin’s bipartisan oversight model. Industry analysts note such incidents erode public trust, particularly in swing states where 78% of voters cite ballot security as a top concern according to 2023 Pew Research data.
The meeting’s agenda focused on Madison’s errors, but Spindell redirected attention to Milwaukee’s election operations, claiming polling stations ran out of ballots during April’s Supreme Court race. Jacobs interrupted repeatedly, enforcing strict adherence to the agenda – a pattern reflecting the commission’s 3-3 partisan split. Election law experts warn such deadlocks complicate oversight in critical states, with Wisconsin’s 2020 certification delays still fresh in public memory.
Regional comparisons highlight systemic challenges: Milwaukee County constitutes 16% of Wisconsin’s electorate but accounted for 31% of 2022 provisional ballot issues. A 2024 Brennan Center study recommends cross-training poll workers and implementing real-time ballot tracking systems to prevent uncounted votes – solutions yet to gain traction in the WEC’s divided climate. Meanwhile, Madison’s internal probe into Witzel-Behl’s resignation remains undisclosed, fueling transparency concerns.
As legal claims progress and Milwaukee’s ballot shortages undergo review, the commission faces mounting pressure to address procedural gaps. With Wisconsin expected to be a 2024 battleground, observers urge bipartisan reforms to restore confidence in election administration. For now, the WEC’s public disputes continue overshadowing its oversight mandate, perpetuating cycles of mistrust among voters.