At its Tuesday night meeting, the Green Bay Common Council provided an update on the city’s investigation into duplicate absentee ballot issues that arose during the April and August elections. City officials emphasized that the review is focused on procedural safeguards rather than allegations of wrongdoing.
Plan Submitted to State Election Authorities
The city recently submitted a detailed plan to the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) to ensure that only one absentee ballot is mailed to each voter. The plan outlines a multi‑step process for reprinting ballot labels, designed so that no single individual—regardless of position—can independently produce a new label. This added layer of oversight is intended to eliminate the possibility of duplicate ballots being sent out.
Attorney’s Findings on Recent Elections
During the council session, Green Bay’s city attorney confirmed that no duplicate ballots from either the April or August elections were forwarded to the Central Count. The attorney also clarified that any reprinting of ballot materials would follow the newly proposed procedure, further reducing the risk of errors.
Clarification on Former Clerk’s Actions
Mayor Eric Genrich and a council member addressed rumors surrounding former city clerk Celestine Jeffreys. The attorney explained that Jeffreys believed ballot labels were missing from a box for the August election, prompting her to reprint them. In reality, the labels were already in process and not missing. Council members took a moment to thank Jeffreys for her years of service to the city.
No Evidence of Election Misconduct
Both the mayor and council members reassured residents that there is currently no evidence suggesting misconduct that could have affected Green Bay’s election results. The council’s update was intended to keep the public informed while the WEC reviews the city’s submission. No timeline has been set for the commission’s response.
What Residents Should Expect
City officials encouraged voters to remain confident in the integrity of their ballots. The new safeguards are expected to be fully operational before the next election cycle, ensuring that each absentee ballot is uniquely issued and properly tracked.
For further information, residents can contact the Green Bay City Clerk’s office or visit the city’s official website, where the full plan submitted to the Wisconsin Elections Commission will be posted.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
