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Madison Election Clerk Resigns
Madison’s elections clerk has handled her last Election Day.
Clerk Marybeth Witzel-Behl has resigned.
Madison’s mayor made the announcement Monday afternoon.
"On behalf of City of Madison residents, I want to extend my gratitude to Maribeth for her commitment and dedication to public service," Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said Monday in a statement.
Witzel-Behl had been on leave since late March when Mayor Rhodes-Conway suspended her for failing to find and count nearly 200 ballots in the November election.
Witzel-Behl never explained just what happened, despite a full investigation from the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
WEC said Witzel-Behl provided a lot of context about her election operations in Madison, but never explained how poll workers missed two separate batches of ballots.
“Again, at this juncture, staff are not concluding that any of the factors outlined below mean that Clerk Witzel-Behl took actions that are contrary to law or were an abuse of discretion,” The Elections Commission said in its report into Madison’s clerks’ office. "[But] staff have identified several factors that probably increased the likelihood that the 193 uncounted absentee ballots went undiscovered by anyone until November 12 and December 2, respectively, and went uncounted in the official election results."
It’s unclear what Witzel-Behl’s resignation will mean for the investigation by the Elections Commission.
Witzel-Behl was first appointed as Madison clerk back in 2006. The city says she handled over 60 elections.
"Throughout her long tenure, Witzel-Behl was also committed to inclusivity and community engagement. She implemented numerous initiatives at the Clerk’s Office to make City government and elections more accessible," Madison added in Monday's statement.
City Attorney Michael Haas will continue to serve as acting-Clerk until a national search can unfold, and a permanent replacement can be hired.
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