MADISON, Wis. — Over 100 absentee ballots from the Nov. 5 general election in Madison weren’t properly processed, the City of Madison Clerk’s Office announced on Thursday.

The Clerk's Office said a total of 193 ballots from Wards 56, 65 and 68 were discovered during reconciliation and clean-up following the election.

However, it said these ballots would not have impacted election outcomes.

“The number of uncounted absentee ballots was not enough to affect the outcome of any race or referendum on the ballot,” the Clerk’s Office said.

What You Need To Know

  • The City of Madison Clerk's Office said a total of 193 ballots from Wards 56, 65 and 68 were discovered during reconciliation and clean-up following the Nov. 5 election

  • However, it said these ballots would not have impacted election outcomes

  • Despite releasing information on the issue now, the Clerk’s Office had discovered the issues earlier in two separate incidents

  • The Clerk’s Office said that to avoid this issue in the future, every polling location will get a list of absentee envelope seal numbers that will need to be verified on Election Day

Despite releasing information on the issue now, the Clerk’s Office had discovered the issues earlier in two separate incidents.

In one, 125 unprocessed ballots were discovered on Nov. 12 when Clerk’s Office personnel were reconciling voter participation for Ward 56. This process, which starts right after the election, involves comparing all counts and assigning participation in WisVote. Clerks are allowed 45 days to do this after a presidential election, according to officials. During this process, someone from the Clerk’s Office found two sealed absentee carrier envelopes containing the 125 ballots.

A second set of improperly processed ballots, totalling 68 ballots, was discovered on Dec. 3. It happened when someone from the Clerk’s Office emptied out the tabulator bins for Ward 65. In doing that, the person found one seal courier bag with 68 ballots. Sixty-seven of them were for Ward 65 and one was for Ward 68.

The Clerk’s Office said upon finding the ballots, it informed the Wisconsin Elections Commission in a memo, which is required to be done by Dec. 20.

Officials said they decided to release the information “in the interest of full transparency.”

It said affected voters will also be notified and sent a letter of apology individually.

“We sincerely apologize to our voters and will strive to make sure this never happens again,” officials said in a statement.

The Clerk’s Office said that to avoid this issue in the future, every polling location will get a list of absentee envelope seal numbers that will need to be verified on Election Day.