City clerk resigns amid ongoing investigation into lost absentee ballots

The Madison Mayor’s Office announced Monday the resignation of Maribeth Witzel-Behl, a clerk under investigation for the almost 200 uncounted absentee ballots in the 2024 presidential election.

Witzel-Behl was appointed city clerk in 2006 and has overseen over 60 elections, as well as performing duties such as overseeing the city's legislative tracking system and issuance of city and county licenses and permits.

In December, the City Clerk’s Office had announced the discovery of these unprocessed absentee ballots from several wards, a month and a half after the election.

In early January, the Wisconsin Election Commission (WEC) unanimously decided to launch an investigation into Madison’s Clerk’s Office for potential failures to comply with state law or abuse of discretion. 

Last month, the WEC followed up on the investigation by voting to depose certain Madison city workers who may have knowledge of the unprocessed ballots. This would include questioning Witzel-Behl on her conduct and protocol during Election Day. 

Committee Chair Ann Jacobs expressed her concerns with Witzel-Behl’s conduct during the meeting, saying “this feels like a complete lack of leadership and a refusal to be where the buck stops.”

The City of Madison also had claims filed against them on behalf of voters whose ballots went uncounted, seeking $175,000 for the misconduct. 

On March 12, the Mayor’s Office said in a press release that Witzel-Behl would be placed on paid administrative leave “pending the outcome of the City’s investigation into uncounted absentee ballots during the November election and other aspects of her performance.”

City Attorney Michael Haas was appointed acting city clerk on an interim basis and oversaw the April 1 election.

In light of the resignation, Haas will continue to serve as acting clerk while “a national search is conducted to find a permanent replacement to lead the agency,” Dylan Brogan, city communications manager, said in a press release.

Brogan also said the Mayor’s Office will release the results of their internal investigation once a stipulated waiting period is over.

The WEC will continue to discuss and potentially pursue further action on the incident in their open session meeting on April 17.

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