MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign today reaffirmed its commitment to election integrity and transparency following reports that 193 absentee ballots in the City of Madison were left uncounted in the 2024 presidential election. This situation underscores the need for continued improvements in election administration to ensure that every valid vote is counted and every voter’s voice is heard.
According to a letter from the City of Madison Clerk’s Office to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, the ballots were discovered in sealed courier bags after Election Day. While there was still time for them to be included in the state’s final canvass, no action was taken, leaving 193 voters—many of them students casting their first presidential election ballots—effectively disenfranchised.
“Wisconsin voters deserve confidence that when they cast a ballot, it will be included in the final count,” said Nick Ramos, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. “The City of Madison’s election officials have long been committed to protecting the right to vote, and we recognize their dedication to running free and fair elections. At the same time, this situation highlights why it is critical that our systems are designed to catch and correct errors before they result in disenfranchisement.”
In response, Law Forward, a nonprofit pro-democracy law firm, has stepped in to represent affected voters through a class action lawsuit, seeking accountability and solutions to prevent similar incidents in the future. Their involvement underscores the fundamental principle that every vote matters and that barriers—whether intentional or accidental—should never stand in the way of a citizen’s right to participate in our democracy.
The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign has worked for 30 years to protect election integrity, transparency, and public confidence in Wisconsin’s democracy. This incident serves as an opportunity to strengthen trust in the electoral process by reviewing procedures and ensuring safeguards that prevent ballots from being overlooked.
“Mistakes happen, and when they do, the most important thing is that we learn from them and implement solutions to prevent them in the future,” Ramos continued. “The strength of our elections depends on transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. We stand ready to support efforts that enhance voter confidence and protect every Wisconsinite’s fundamental right to vote.”
The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign encourages election officials, policymakers, and voters to remain vigilant in ensuring that every valid vote is counted.
