Nearly 200 Missing Absentee Ballots Found In Wisconsin Weeks After Election

In an alarming development, nearly 200 absentee ballots were discovered missing in Wisconsin weeks after the November 2024 election. The missing ballots were found during post-election reconciliation, and while the oversight did not change the results of the election, the discovery has sparked concern about the integrity of the election process.

The City of Madison Clerk’s Office discovered the 193 missing absentee ballots in sealed carrier containers during the reconciliation process and reported the error to the state election board on December 20. Though the Clerk’s Office assured voters that no races were affected by the missing ballots, officials are taking steps to ensure that this does not happen again in the future.

To prevent future mistakes, the Clerk’s Office will implement a new process to verify absentee ballot envelope seal numbers on Election Day. This measure is intended to ensure that all absentee ballots are accounted for and that no votes are overlooked.

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway expressed disappointment over the incident, calling it a failure to meet the city’s high election standards. She pledged to conduct a review of the city’s election policies and take corrective action as necessary. “Immediate steps will be taken to ensure this kind of mistake will not happen again,” Rhodes-Conway said.

The discovery of missing absentee ballots has brought attention to ongoing concerns about election integrity. President Donald Trump’s 2020 claims of election fraud, though not substantiated, highlighted the vulnerabilities in the system. While the missing ballots did not change the outcome in Wisconsin, this incident serves as a reminder that more vigilance is needed in securing the voting process.

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