The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for July 18, 2025
The Wisconsin Elections Commission issued a highly critical report of the City of Madison’s former clerk July 17th, after investigating how 193 mail-in ballots were left uncounted after the 2024 general election. The clerk was suspended by the city, then subsequently resigned.
November 12th, a staff member alerted City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl that a sealed ballot courier bag had been found, but Witzel-Behl allegedly gave the staff no instructions to open or otherwise investigate, did not alert state or county officials, and went on vacation the next day.
Just before Thanksgiving, unaware that an unopened bag had been found, an elections inspector reported a discrepancy between the ballots received and the ballots counted in wards 56 and 65. December 2nd, inspectors found another unopened courier bag containing 125 uncounted ballots.
The 400-page report found several leadership and procedural failures, including several which violated state statutes. The report’s conclusion, said QUOTE:
“Rather than acknowledge these significant errors, the City Clerk and her staff either ignored the issue or willfully refused to inform the necessary parties and seek assistance. These actions resulted in nearly 200 lawful voters’ votes going uncounted – an unconscionable result.” UNQUOTE.
The report orders the City of Madison to complete several procedural reforms before the next statewide election in February 2026.
We’ve linked to the full report at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Some podcasting platforms strip out our links. To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Wisconsin Watch – Wisconsin Elections Commission launches investigation into uncounted Madison ballotsWisconsin Elections Commission – Investigation of the City of Madison: Proposed Final Decision Letter and Order & Accompanying MaterialsCity of Madison – Statement on WEC Investigation
Battleground Wisconsin – WEC report faults former Madison clerk for ‘astonishing’ lack of urgency over missing ballots
Wisconsin Examiner – WEC blames missing Madison absentee ballots on ‘confluence of errors’ by city officials
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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