Announcement Regarding Clerk’s Office

Madison Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the City’s investigation into uncounted absentee ballots during the November election and other aspects of her performance. The Mayor’s Office will provide an update on the progress of the investigation as soon as possible. Until then, the City is unable to provide further details on this internal personnel matter.  

City Attorney Michael Haas will assume the role of Acting City Clerk on an interim basis during Witzel-Behl’s absence and will oversee office operations to make sure that everything runs smoothly. Haas previously served as administrator of and legal counsel to the Wisconsin Elections Commission and has extensive experience with elections and administrative law. He will continue to serve as City Attorney during this period.  

The City will be allocating additional resources to support the Clerk’s office during this period to make sure that preparations for the April 1 election and all other aspects of the office’s operations continue to run as smoothly as possible. Additional adjustments in assignments for both the Clerk’s Office and City Attorney’s Office will be made as needed. 

“Given the nature of the issues being investigated, we felt this was a necessary step to maintain public confidence in the operations of our Clerk’s office,” said Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. “The City of Madison places an incredibly high value on our ability to conduct elections to the highest standards, and will spare no City resource to ensure that each vote is counted for the upcoming election.” 

“I am completely confident in the ability of the highly trained, incredibly competent professional staff at the Clerk’s Office to continue the operations of the office without interruption, including conducting the upcoming spring general election,” said Acting City Clerk Haas. “I look forward to working with them to ensure a secure, transparent, and safe election.”