State election commission mandates Madison employees to respond to inquiries about…

In a decision that garnered unanimous support from the Wisconsin Elections Commission, officials are set to conduct depositions of Madison election authorities, including City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl. The purpose of this move is to gain a deeper understanding of why 193 ballots were left uncounted during the presidential election.

The oversight of these uncounted ballots was only brought to the attention of state officials after several weeks had passed. Ann Jacobs, the Chair of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, did not hold back when expressing her astonishment at Madison’s ballot mishap during a recent meeting. She went on record saying that she was “shocked” by the initial report presented by the commission staff.

One key detail highlighted by Jacobs was the fact that Witzel-Behl’s office printed poll books for the two voting wards where ballots were overlooked roughly two weeks before Election Day, specifically on October 23. However, these uncounted ballots did not reach the wards until several days later.

The Commission offers recommendations urging clerks to print poll books as close to the election as possible to accommodate any last-minute registration adjustments. Essentially, poll books serve as a comprehensive list showcasing all registered voters within a specific ward. Voters are required to sign these books before casting their ballot.

Expressing her concerns, Jacobs reiterated, “I am genuinely troubled by the number of profoundly bad decisions that are recited in these materials leading up to election day.” She further emphasized the impracticality of printing poll books two weeks in advance, especially in a city like Madison where a sizable student population is known to cast their votes during the last days prior to an election.

Despite the complexity and time constraints involved in managing elections, ensuring seamless processes remains paramount to uphold the integrity of the electoral system. With the importance of every vote cast, especially in high-stakes elections, every effort must be made to prevent such oversights and mistakes in the future.

The upcoming depositions will shed more light on the series of events that led to the mishandling of the 193 uncounted ballots in Madison, offering a chance to learn from these oversights and implement preventive measures moving forward. The goal is to uphold transparency, accuracy, and accountability in the election process to safeguard the sanctity of each vote cast by citizens.