An internal report has revealed significant failures by former Madison City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl regarding uncounted absentee ballots during the recent presidential election. The report, prepared by city officials, outlines her negligence and inconsistent actions that impacted 193 voters.
1. Negligence and Violations:
Witzel-Behl was found to be “derelict in her duties” and violated city policies and her contract. The report identified significant accountability issues and inconsistencies in her testimony.
2. Failure to Count Ballots:
The office failed to count nearly 200 absentee ballots. Despite stating that the failure was primarily a training issue, there were many chances to count the ballots after Election Day, which Witzel-Behl neglected.
3. Vacation During Crisis:
Following the election, Witzel-Behl took substantial vacation time while her staff worked to manage the issue of the uncounted ballots.
4. Lack of Communication:
Witzel-Behl did not effectively communicate the problem to various officials, including the Dane County clerk and the mayor’s office, until much later than required.
5. Disenfranchisement of Voters:
Due to these failures, 193 voters were disenfranchised. The report highlighted that a simple solution to count the uncounted ballots was hindered by Witzel-Behl’s lack of notification to essential parties.
6. Inconsistencies in Testimony:
The investigation found multiple contradictions in Witzel-Behl's accounts compared to her staff's testimonies and other witnesses. This raised concerns about the accuracy and truthfulness of her reporting.
7. Lack of Broader Violations:
While individual errors were noted, the report found no violations of state election law by other employees, attributing the issues primarily to failures in leadership and direction from Witzel-Behl.
8. Ongoing Investigations and Lawsuits:
A state investigation by the Wisconsin Elections Commission is still active, potentially uncovering further violations of state law. Additionally, Madison is facing a class-action lawsuit related to these election mishaps.
The report detailing Witzel-Behl's failures emphasizes significant shortcomings in the management of the election process in Madison. As a result, questions surrounding election integrity and oversight remain prevalent, with investigations continuing to determine the full scope of the issue.
Comments
Post a Comment