In Madison, Wisconsin, a former deputy clerk has been reassigned following a mishap involving 23 absentee ballots during the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court election. Jim Verbick, who previously faced scrutiny for a similar incident in 2024, admitted to losing track of the ballots, which arrived late at polling places after the 8 p.m. deadline on Election Day.
Ballot Delivery Issues
According to public records, the ballots were initially received and sorted by election officials on the Monday before Election Day. However, they were not delivered to polling places on time due to a series of logistical errors. Verbick, who was in charge of absentee ballots, acknowledged his role in the delay, citing understaffing and communication issues as contributing factors.
Despite the late arrival, a Dane County judge ruled that the ballots should be counted, as they were properly cast and should not be invalidated due to administrative errors. This decision came after the Wisconsin Elections Commission initially ordered the ballots not to be counted, citing state law that requires ballots to be delivered by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Personnel Changes and Future Plans
In response to the incident, Madison Clerk Lydia McComas announced personnel changes within the clerk’s office to improve election administration. Verbick has been reassigned to a non-election role as the lead worker for licensing. The city plans to hire additional staff, including two new deputy clerks and a lead employee for absentee voting, to address staffing shortages and enhance election management.
This is not the first time Verbick has faced scrutiny over election-related issues. In 2024, he was involved in a similar situation where nearly 200 ballots were mishandled. The Wisconsin Elections Commission is investigating both incidents, marking the first two authorized investigations in its history centered on Madison’s election administration.
Verbick expressed frustration over his reassignment, arguing that the errors were not solely his responsibility and were exacerbated by a lack of communication and support within the office. He emphasized the need for more permanent staff to handle the increasing demands of absentee voting.
Original reporting: Wisconsin Watch — read the source article.
