Mayor Rhodes-Conway's Statement on Unprocessed Absentee Ballots

For Immediate Release
December 26, 2024

"Today, the Madison Clerk’s Office released a statement alerting the public of 193 unprocessed absentee ballots found after November 5, 2024. The City of Madison prides itself on administering safe, fair and accurate elections. While the discovery of these unprocessed absentee ballots did not impact the results of any election or referendum, a discrepancy of this magnitude is unacceptable. This oversight is a significant departure from the high standard our residents expect and must be addressed and avoided in future elections.  

Unfortunately, Clerk’s Office staff were apparently aware of the oversight for some time and the Mayor’s Office was not notified of the unprocessed ballots until December 20 (please see the timeline of events below for additional details.) We immediately asked the Clerk’s Office to prepare an explanation and then moved quickly to inform the public. The City will also be individually contacting each of the voters affected to notify them and apologize.  

We plan to conduct a thorough review of the City’s election policies and procedures to ensure this kind of oversight does not recur. My office is committed to taking whatever corrective action is necessary to maintain a high standard of election integrity in Madison, and to provide ongoing transparency into that process. This statement and the timeline are a first step in doing so.  

I also wish to offer an apology to affected voters. You have my word that immediate steps will be taken to ensure this kind of mistake will not happen again."

— Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway

Timeline of Discovery of Unprocessed Ballots

November 5, 2024

• Election Day

November 12, 2024  

• Madison Clerk’s Office personnel discover a sealed courier bag containing a sealed envelope with 68 unprocessed absentee ballots.  

November 29, 2024

• Wisconsin Election Commission certifies the November 5, 2024 election.  

December 3, 2024

• During ballot reconciliation process, Clerk’s Office personnel discover a sealed courier bag with two sealed envelopes containing 125 unprocessed absentee ballots.

December 18, 2024  

• Madison Clerk’s Office emails Wisconsin Election Commission about unprocessed absentee ballots and asks for guidance.

December 19, 2024

• Wisconsin Election Commission attorney contacts Madison City Attorney Michael Haas about the unprocessed ballots. This was the first time Attorney Haas is informed of the situation.  
• Wisconsin Election Commission asks for a virtual meeting with Madison Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl, Clerk personnel, and Madison City Attorney Michael Haas.

December 20, 2024

• City Attorney Haas emails Mayor’s Office staff to inform them of the unprocessed ballots.
• Chief of Staff to the Mayor Sam Munger directs Clerk Witzel-Behl to write a statement informing the public of the unprocessed ballots.

December 23

• Clerk’s Office traces ballots and provides written explanation.  

December 26

• Public statement released.  

Note: This timeline was updated to reflect when the two sets of unprocessed absentee ballots were discovered.