'Zuckbucks' Cities' Ballot Errors Disrupt Wisconsin Election Day

As Wisconsin voters head to the polls for the Spring Election, at least two cities have reported significant ballot errors that have raised concerns about election integrity. In Green Bay, the Republican Party of Wisconsin and a local voter have filed a complaint against the city clerk's office after duplicate absentee ballots were mailed to 152 individuals. Meanwhile, Racine officials reported that a municipal judge contest was omitted from the election day ballot, although the race is uncontested.

The incidents underscore ongoing tensions regarding election administration in Wisconsin, particularly in cities previously embroiled in controversies surrounding the use of private funding for election operations. Voters across the state will decide various local contests and a crucial Wisconsin Supreme Court race that could shift the balance of power from a 4-3 liberal majority to a 5-2 advantage.

Complaints Filed in Green Bay

The complaint filed by the Republican Party alleges that Green Bay City Clerk Celestine Jeffreys' office sent out duplicate absentee ballots, which were discovered when voters received unsolicited duplicates after returning their original ballots. "Wisconsin law is clear: one voter, one ballot," said WisGOP Chairman Brian Schimming. "This reckless failure by the Green Bay Clerk has created serious risks of double voting and fraud."

Jeffreys acknowledged the mistake in a recent interview, attributing it to human error. Ann Jacobs, chairwoman of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, also described the situation as a result of ordinary human error, stating that both the county and municipal clerks failed to proof the ballots adequately. Jacobs noted that the city has since sent out corrected ballots to address the issue.

Racine's Omitted Contest

In Racine, the omission of a municipal judge race from the ballot has also drawn scrutiny. Jacobs confirmed that the missing race was due to oversight by local election officials. "Ballots are printed by the county clerks and proofed by the municipal clerks. Both failed to note the missing race," Jacobs stated.

Despite the errors, Jacobs reassured voters that safeguards are in place to prevent double voting. "In neither situation will anyone be able to vote twice. A/B ballots happen; the system is designed so no voter can return two ballots and have them both count," she explained.

A Pattern of Election Issues

The incidents in Green Bay and Racine are not isolated. Jeffreys has faced multiple complaints regarding her handling of elections, including allegations of violating state election law in previous years. Critics point to a pattern of errors and mismanagement that raises questions about the integrity of the election process in the city.

Doug Reich, chairman of the Brown County GOP, expressed frustration over the repeated issues. "When you see a pattern develop over several years, you begin to doubt the integrity of the election process," he said. He called for a new elections administrator who would be more professional and transparent.

The state Republican Party's complaint seeks remedies and corrective measures, highlighting concerns that previous incidents, such as the duplicate ballots sent in Madison, went unaddressed by the Elections Commission. The complaint argues that the lack of formal action may have contributed to a permissive environment for election administration failures.

Broader Implications

The ongoing issues in Wisconsin's election administration come at a critical time, as the state prepares for significant local and statewide elections. With the potential for shifts in the balance of power on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the stakes are high for both parties.

While election officials maintain that the recent errors are not indicative of fraud, the repeated incidents have led to increased scrutiny from both political parties and election observers. As voters head to the polls, the integrity of the election process remains a central concern for many in the state.