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Omaha Steve

(105,289 posts)
Wed Mar 12, 2025, 04:33 PM Mar 12

Wisconsin clerk who failed to count almost 200 ballots is suspended

Source: AP

By TODD RICHMOND
Updated 12:41 PM CDT, March 12, 2025

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The mayor of Wisconsin’s capital city said Wednesday she has placed the municipal clerk on leave as investigators work to determine how she failed to count almost 200 absentee ballots in the November election.

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said in a statement that the city has launched an investigation and that she needed to suspend City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl to maintain public confidence in the clerk’s office. The mayor added that the city will spare no expense to ensure every vote is counted heading into the swing state’s spring election. The state Elections Commission also is investigating whether Witzel-Behl violated any state laws or abused her discretion.

The uncounted ballots did not change the results of any races but four Madison voters whose ballots weren’t counted filed claims last week for $175,000 each from the city and Dane County, the first step toward initiating a lawsuit.

The mayor’s spokesperson, Dylan Brogan, said Witzel-Behl will continue to be paid during her suspension. She makes $152,300 annually. No listing for her personal contact information could be immediately found.



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-clerk-uncounted-ballots-madison-leave-92c3004016798b75aa05cd0c367a356c

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Wisconsin clerk who failed to count almost 200 ballots is suspended (Original Post) Omaha Steve Mar 12 OP
So, a paid vacation n/t MichMan Mar 12 #1
A Republican county clerk here in Colorado DENVERPOPS Mar 12 #2
$152K salary? WTH! Shipwack Mar 12 #3
Here is the job description: 33taw Mar 12 #4
Thank you for the research! Shipwack Mar 12 #5
You might be surprised if you did the job. Madison is a large cit and the complexities challenging. 33taw Mar 12 #6
If she counts correctly, she makes $50k less. 😁 Wonder Why Mar 13 #11
I worked in that office. Fiorillo Mar 13 #7
welcome to DU Skittles Mar 13 #9
Welcome to DU LetMyPeopleVote Mar 13 #13
I worked in that office. Fiorillo Mar 13 #8
Woah! electric_blue68 Mar 13 #10
Ever since I participated in the long-ago Wisconsin recount-to learn- coffeenap Mar 13 #12

DENVERPOPS

(11,839 posts)
2. A Republican county clerk here in Colorado
Wed Mar 12, 2025, 05:00 PM
Mar 12

did far more than that, and got sentenced to prison for 5-7? years...........She is asking Trump to give her a Pardon....

She snuck in some Trump/Republican geeks, and allowed them to break the seal on a voting machine and copy the hard drive with the election software.....??????? She was so stupid, she didn't realize that all the secured areas were on 24/7/365 security cameras....
Seems the geeks were interested in seeing if the voting machine Software could easily be re-programed to flip votes??????
(It worked in 2000 and definitely in 2004 with the EIS machines........)

Shipwack

(2,610 posts)
3. $152K salary? WTH!
Wed Mar 12, 2025, 05:44 PM
Mar 12

I admit that I'm speaking from ignorance here, but what does she do to deserve that much? Every county clerk I've ever interacted with didn't seem to be doing much more than accepting and filing paperwork.

What asr the qualifications required? I am apparently in the wrong line of work...

(I apologize to anyone if they know or are a county clerk).

33taw

(3,151 posts)
4. Here is the job description:
Wed Mar 12, 2025, 08:15 PM
Mar 12

RESIDENCY IN THE CITY OF MADISON IS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

This is responsible managerial work in planning, coordinating and implementing the programs, operations, and services of the Clerk’s Office consistent with governing State Statutes and City Ordinances. This managerial role shall include: The administration and recording of the proceedings of the Common Council; development and implementation of election processes and procedures; issuance of City and County licenses and permits; maintenance of a centralized information bureau as the custodian of official City of Madison documents; and related policy development and direction. This department head role requires working in close cooperation with other City managers. Under the direction of the Mayor, the City Clerk shall exercise considerable judgment and discretion in meeting established objectives.
Employment will be subject to a five-year employment contract negotiated by the Mayor and approved by the Common Council and a term of the contract requires residency in the City of Madison.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities
Plan, coordinate, and manage the equitable implementation of the programs, operations and services of the Clerk’s Office. Manage professional and administrative staff. Provide for effective employee relations. Maintain a positive work environment that welcomes and supports a diverse staff.

Direct the programs, operations, and services of the City Clerk’s Office. Carry out all related statutory responsibilities and duties of a City Clerk. Serve as Clerk of the Common Council, and the Committee of the Whole. Administer the oath of office to the Mayor, Alderpersons, and Municipal Judge upon election or appointment.

Direct the preparation of Common Council agendas and proceedings. Maintain the official records of the City and publish official notices. Serve as the recipient of all official communications, and provide affidavits for court proceedings regarding documents filed with the office.

Administer the City’s legislative tracking system (Legistar). Provide training and direction to other city agencies in relation to the City’s legislative tracking system and legislative process. Provide staff support for the Police & Fire Commission and the Alcohol License Review Committee. Assist members of the public in connecting with their government.

Plan and direct all City elections and supervise the registration of voters. Hire, train, and manage election officials. Staff and equip each polling location to minimize voter lines. Ensure each polling location has the training and tools needed to make voting accessible for voters with disabilities. Provide accessible and equitable voting options throughout the City for in-person absentee voting.

Hire, train and manage the hourly employees who independently administer in-person absentee voting. Manage the security of election equipment, ballots, data, and results. Appoint, train, and serve on the municipal Board of Canvassers to certify municipal election results. Advise and support the Board of Canvassers for the Madison Metropolitan School District.
Develop voter outreach materials to empower eligible voters to register and vote. Work with UW-Madison and community partners to identify and address obstacles to voting access. Recruit, train, and direct community volunteers to conduct voter outreach throughout the City. Partner with community organizations to dispel misinformation about voting rights and elections. Help previously disenfranchised voters and youth see themselves as future voters by offering mock elections to provide hands-on opportunities to learn about the voting process. Provide civics training to school groups and community organizations.

Organize voter registration drives for eligible voters who are unable to register online. Collect and analyze data on why eligible voters are unable to cast a ballot or have their ballot counted, and develop solutions to address the barriers identified.

Provide court testimony, affidavits, and declarations for state and federal court cases regarding voting rights. Provide technical advice and feedback to the Wisconsin Election Commission. Provide training and guidance to election administrators in Wisconsin and in other states. Advise national organizations on election best practices.

Provide lobby law oversight. Oversee candidate filings and campaign finance filings for the City of Madison and the Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education. Direct the issuance of City and County licenses and permits. Administer the elections of Madison’s Central Business Improvement District. Oversee the annual Statement of Interests filing for City of Madison elected officials and candidates, members of City committees/boards/commissions, and certain City employees.

Oversee the posting of City meeting agendas, the compilation of the weekly meeting schedule, and the annual creation of the official city roster. Mentor youth interns and students connecting with the Clerk’s Office through the UW PEOPLE Program and the 100 Black Men of Madison Democracy Project.

Develop and maintain a high level of awareness of related professional standards and the effective integration of evolving technologies and methods. Maintain effective cooperative relationships both internally and with other governmental agencies.

Direct the general administration of the department to include the development and implementation of the departmental budget, personnel administration, and the integration of racial equity and social justice into all aspects of the agency’s work, etc.

Provide related high-level expertise and consultation to the Mayor and Common Council. Represent the interests of the organization in a wide variety of internal and external settings.

Prepare and present relevant written and oral reports. Perform and/or oversee special studies. Maintain necessary records, files, and statistics.

Perform related work as required.





Minimum Qualifications
Training and Experience:

Generally, positions in this classification will require:

Three years of directly related supervisory experience incorporating substantive involvement in Clerk’s Office statutory responsibilities. Such experience would normally be gained after graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in public administration, political science, or a closely related field. Other combinations of training and/or experience which can be demonstrated to result in the possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of these positions will also be considered.

Specific training and experience requirements will be established at the time of recruitment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration relative to local government to include the operations, functions and statutory responsibilities of the City Clerk. Thorough knowledge of governing election law and electoral principles and practices. Thorough knowledge of record management principles and practices incorporating appropriate technological applications. Thorough knowledge of the full range of supervisory principles and practices, labor relations and personnel management. Thorough knowledge of and ability to use computer software applicable to the duties of the position. Working knowledge of budgeting and program administration principles and practices. Working knowledge of the importance of racial and gender equity in City work. Ability to plan and manage the work and staff of the Clerk’s Office. Ability to supervise staff and set goals and priorities. Ability to perform complex public policy analysis and to prepare and present comprehensive and effective written and oral reports. Ability to develop and justify budgetary requests and control budget expenditures. Ability to work with a high degree of independence in carrying out assigned functions. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with governmental officials, the general public and staff. Ability to maintain adequate attendance.

Special Requirements
Ability to be bonded.

Possession of a valid Wisconsin driver's license or the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position.

The employee will be expected to attend meetings and provide presentations outside the normal work schedule, including evenings and weekends.

A condition of employment for this position requires residency in the City of Madison.

Physical Requirements

Work is mainly sedentary in nature. The employee will be expected to work at a desk frequently using a computer and monitor and review numerous documents in policy manuals and other formats. Work may involve occasional travel to various City facilities in order to attend various meetings, both during and after regular work hours.

Shipwack

(2,610 posts)
5. Thank you for the research!
Wed Mar 12, 2025, 09:31 PM
Mar 12

While I admit that the job does involve a certain amount of skill and experience, to me it still sounds like the pay is $50K too high.

33taw

(3,151 posts)
6. You might be surprised if you did the job. Madison is a large cit and the complexities challenging.
Wed Mar 12, 2025, 11:02 PM
Mar 12

There is a great deal of research done in setting salaries in governmental agencies. Try volunteering at a municipal clerks office and you might think the salary should be higher. For starters, this person probably supervises several people.

Fiorillo

(3 posts)
7. I worked in that office.
Thu Mar 13, 2025, 04:16 AM
Mar 13

I was a licensing clerk in that office, in 2007, and had a rather nasty exit thanks to Ms. Maribeth. She didn't appreciate it when I pointed out the voter caging operation she was spearheading, trying to disenfranchise voters if they didn't return a registration card. As I was in the process of a lateral transfer, changing jobs without bumping someone out of theirs, when she attempted to get me fired for not informing her I was leaving early on a Friday. She mentioned my "election integrity advocacy" as a problem during my tenure at the clerks office.

At the "hearing", she testified I had never contacted her, though later proven wrong by her own answering machine. I was told I would be fired, if proven a liar. In the end, she was never admonished for lying in the hearing, and I retained my job with the City of Madison, though in a different division after my lateral transfer.

I eventually retired from my City of Madison job in 2012, so I could pursue genealogy research across the country. Still going strong!

Skittles

(163,560 posts)
9. welcome to DU
Thu Mar 13, 2025, 05:55 AM
Mar 13

quite a compelling first post!

Madison was my favorite pitstop as a GI brat; I absolutely loved it there.

Fiorillo

(3 posts)
8. I worked in that office.
Thu Mar 13, 2025, 04:53 AM
Mar 13

I was a licensing clerk in that office, in 2007, and had a rather nasty exit thanks to Ms. Maribeth. She didn't appreciate it when I pointed out the voter caging operation she was spearheading, trying to disenfranchise voters if they didn't return a registration card. As I was in the process of a lateral transfer, changing jobs without bumping someone out of theirs, when she attempted to get me fired for not informing her I was leaving early on a Friday. She mentioned my "election integrity advocacy" as a problem during my tenure at the clerks office.

At the "hearing", she testified I had never contacted her, though later proven wrong by her own answering machine. I was told I would be fired, if proven a liar. In the end, she was never admonished for lying in the hearing, and I retained my job with the City of Madison, though in a different division after my lateral transfer.

I eventually retired from my City of Madison job in 2012, so I could pursue genealogy research across the country. Still going strong!

coffeenap

(3,250 posts)
12. Ever since I participated in the long-ago Wisconsin recount-to learn-
Thu Mar 13, 2025, 10:37 AM
Mar 13

I have held that precinct level cheating is where a vote theft could easily happen. Activating local partisans in just enough precincts to tip the vote to the Repubs in numbers that could, kinda, be explained, would be doable, imo.

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