CEC was featured in multiple Wisconsin news outlets following WEC’s decision to conclude its inquiry into Green Bay’s repeated issuance of duplicate absentee ballots without a formal investigation. FOX 11 and WBAY highlighted CEC’s concerns with the Commission’s decision, while WisPolitics published a statement from CEC Chief Policy Counsel Caleb Hays warning that closing the investigation without further independent verification leaves important questions unanswered.
Tag: absentee ballots
Statement from Caleb Hays, CEC Chief Policy Counsel, on WEC Decision to End Green Bay “Extra Ballots” Investigation Prematurely
Today’s decision by the Wisconsin Elections Commission to prematurely end its investigation into Green Bay’s unprecedented twice-in-three-months ‘extra ballots’ crisis is disappointing. While welcomed, the resignation of the official in charge when these mistakes occurred is not sufficient.
CEC in the News: WVIA News Reports on Lackawanna County Consent Decree
WVIA News (Scranton, Pa.) highlighted the successful resolution of Kopecki v. Lackawanna County, reporting that the County agreed as part of a consent decree to adopt comprehensive written election procedures, strengthen ballot quality-control measures, and expand election-worker training after ballot failures prevented Eugene Kopecki from voting in the 2025 primary. CEC supported Mr. Kopecki in this litigation. The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania will maintain jurisdiction over the matter for at least three years.
CEC in the News: FOX56 Highlights Election Reforms Secured in Lackawanna County Settlement
FOX56/WOLF-TV (Scanton, Pa.) reported on the successful resolution of Kopecki v. Lackawanna County, reporting that the County agreed as part of a consent decree to develop a comprehensive written election procedures manual and strengthen quality-control measures following the 2025 ballot errors. CEC supported Eugene Kopecki, the plaintiff, in this suit to protect voting rights in Pennsylvania.
Victory for the Electoral Process in Scranton
CEC is pleased to announce a consent decree involving the County of Lackawanna, the County Board of Elections, and the County Department of Elections and Voter Registration and its Director, Elizabeth Hopkins, to prevent the recurrence of ballot issues seen in the 2025 primary election, when voters were disenfranchised by the county’s mailing of incorrect absentee and mail-in ballots.
North Carolina Moves to Adopt CEC Recommendations for Election Reforms
Earlier in July, CEC submitted four comments to the North Carolina State Board of Elections. CEC is pleased that NCSBE adopted many of CEC’s recommendations in the final version of each rule and thanks the Board for its diligent review.
CEC Commends WEC and Green Bay for Placing City Clerk on Leave Pending State Investigation into Election Irregularities
Following the non-partisan CEC’s efforts to draw attention to the matter and offer its assistance, the Wisconsin Election Commission voted unanimously to open an investigation into Green Bay’s mishandling of absentee ballots for the April and August elections, and the City placed Clerk Celestine Jeffries on leave, calling the duplicate ballot errors “unacceptable”.
CEC Submits Comments on North Carolina Absentee-Ballot Deficiency Rules
CEC submitted comments to the NCSBE concerning proposed statewide procedures for absentee-ballot deficiencies and irregularities.
CEC in the News: Green Bay Press Gazette: Green Bay city clerk placed on leave in duplicate ballot investigation
The Green Bay Press Gazette covered CEC’s public comment at today’s quarterly WEC meeting regarding the on-going “extra ballot” issues in Green Bay. Following CEC’s letter to Green Bay and its comments at the WEC meeting, WEC voted to open an investigation, and Green Bay announced that the city’s clerk “had been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation and an internal review”.
CEC in the News: WHBY-FM: Center for Election Confidence raises concerns about duplicate ballots
WHBY-FM covered CEC’s letter to the Green Bay Common Council raising concerns about the City Clerk’s office after another duplicate absentee-ballot issue in Green Bay. The report notes that CEC’s letter inquired about the Council’s oversight of the City Clerk’s office. CEC has also offered its assistance to the Council with respect to developing a viable path forward.