{"id":2423483,"date":"2025-04-14T18:08:01","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T22:08:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/madison-wisconsin-city-clerk-resigns-as-investigation-into-200-uncounted-ballots-continues-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-04-14T18:09:05","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T22:09:05","slug":"madison-wisconsin-city-clerk-resigns-as-investigation-into-200-uncounted-ballots-continues-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/madison-wisconsin-city-clerk-resigns-as-investigation-into-200-uncounted-ballots-continues-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Madison, Wisconsin, city clerk resigns as investigation into 200 uncounted ballots continues\u200b\u200b &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmadison-wisconsin-city-clerk-resigns-as-investigation-into-200-uncounted-ballots-continues-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2423483&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Maribeth Witzel-Behl,the City Clerk of Madison,Wisconsin,has resigned after being placed on <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">paid administrative leave due<\/a> to an examination into the handling of absentee ballots from the 2024 general election. Witzel-Behl had served in this position for almost 20 years, administering 60 elections since her appointment in 2006. The Wisconsin Election Commission is looking into nearly 200 absentee ballots that went uncounted in the previous election, although it has yet to conclude whether Witzel-Behl acted illegally or improperly. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway expressed gratitude for Witzel-Behl&#8217;s service. In the interim, Madison city Attorney Michael Haas is serving as acting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/l-a-progressive-who-represents-venice-beach-served-with-recall-notice-as-tensions-rise-over-homeless-encampments\/\" title=\"L.A. Progressive Who Represents Venice Beach Served With Recall Notice As Tensions Rise Over Homeless Encampments\">city clerk<\/a> until a replacement is appointed.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Madison, Wisconsin, city clerk resigns as investigation into 200 uncounted ballots continues&#8203;&#8203;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2083657\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Madison, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/wisconsin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Wisconsin<\/a>, City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl resigned after being placed on paid administrative leave amid an investigation into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/media-downplay-gop-voter-turnout-as-another-red-mirage\/\" title=\"Media Downplay GOP Voter Turnout As Another &#039;Red Mirage&#039;\">uncounted absentee ballots<\/a> from the 2024 general election.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Witzel-Behl led the department for nearly two decades after she was appointed to the role in 2006. She administered 60 elections as city clerk, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cityofmadison.com\/news\/2025-04-14\/announcement-regarding-the-city-of-madison-clerks-office\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">according to<\/a> the city.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3378420\/iowa-governor-kim-reynolds-will-not-seek-reelection-house-republicans\/\">Kim Reynolds&#8217;s retirement in Iowa has House Republicans eyeing governor&#8217;s seat<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3377827\/elon-musk-lawyer-campaign-texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton\/\">Elon Musk lawyer launches campaign to succeed Texas AG Ken Paxton<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/3370661\/virginia-governor-race-cause-optimism-concern-both-parties\/\">Virginia governor&rsquo;s race cause for optimism and concern in both parties<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Witzel-Behl did not provide a statement as a part of her resignation.<\/p>\n<p>Witzel-Behl was placed on administrative leave in March after the Wisconsin Election Commission launched an investigation two months prior into uncounted ballots and other aspects of her performance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Wisconsin election officials said nearly 200 absentee ballots went uncounted in last year&rsquo;s election. At the time of her resignation, the commission had not determined whether Witzel-Behl acted illegally or improperly in her duties.<\/p>\n<p>In a statement, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway thanked Witzel-Behl for her service and dedication.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3379411\/house-republicans-avoid-town-halls-during-congressional-recess\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>HOUSE REPUBLICANS PLAN TO AVOID TOWN HALLS DURING CONGRESSIONAL RECESS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;On behalf of the City of Madison residents, I want to extend my gratitude to Maribeth for her commitment and dedication to public service,&rdquo; Rhodes-Conway said. &ldquo;Maribeth embodies the motto she brought to the Clerk&rsquo;s Office: &lsquo;We exist to assist.&rsquo; I wish her the very best in future endeavors.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Madison City Attorney Michael Haas has been serving as acting city clerk since Witzel-Behl was placed on administrative leave and will continue to do so until a replacement is found.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2083657\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2083657\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Madison, WI city clerk resigns amid ballot investigation<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2910,"featured_media":2423484,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/wisconsin-state-capitol.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[53452,43604,16632,6522,4124],"class_list":["post-2423483","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-city-clerk","tag-election-investigation","tag-madison","tag-resignation","tag-wisconsin"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/wisconsin-state-capitol.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2423483","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2910"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2423483"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2423483\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2423487,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2423483\/revisions\/2423487"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2423484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2423483"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2423483"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2423483"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}