Milwaukee election officials will be asking 200 absentee voters for their permission to recast ballots less than a week before Election Day. Milwaukee Election Commission explained that a printing mistake caused the incorrect reversal in names of candidates for District 5 of the Milwaukee Common Council. Lamont Westmoreland, the candidate for District 5, was just beginning his campaign two weeks before he received the information from the election commission. He said that there was a possibility of incorrect ballots being sent, and that good and bad ballots could be coming. A viewer shared a letter from WISN 12 News explaining the printing error. The mistake meant the absentee ballots were mailed in an incorrect order. Westmoreland clarified that the issue was confusing to the viewer. The machine correctly reads the oval. The machine reads the oval but not the printed name. “So if anybody were to vote in my favor, then it would give me the vote and vice-versa.” he stated. However, he stated that a resolution is in place which he is satisfied with. Westmoreland stated that he believes everything will go well. WISN 12 News was informed by both candidates that 700 ballots were intended for initial mailing, however 500 were found at the post office and subsequently mailed. Annette Jackson is the second candidate in the District 5. She stated that accountability was the most important thing. She acknowledged that mistakes do happen. It’s a matter of gratitude that it is being dealt with. WISN 12 News was informed by the election commission that new ballots had been sent and that if replacement ballots are not returned they will correct the original ballots so the voter is correctly represented.Jackson stated that although I was shocked and surprised, once I had recovered from the shock, it was okay. Claire Woodall-Vogg, Executive Director of the Election Commission, told WISN12 News that each ballot would be reviewed by two election workers in order to verify the order. You can still vote early in Milwaukee until Saturday. Election Day will be April 4.
MILWAUKEE —
Milwaukee election officials ask 200 absentee voters for recast ballots a mere week before Election Day.
Milwaukee Election Commission has explained that due to printing errors, the names of those running for District 5 representation on the Milwaukee Common Council were reversed.
Two weeks ago, Candidate LamontWestmoreland was in his campaign when he received the announcement from the electoral commission.
“The possibility of incorrect votes coming, perhaps wrong ballots but good ballots going, and double ballots coming… it’s worrisome,” said he.
WISN 12 News received a complaint from a viewer. The letter explained how a printing error had caused the incorrect order of the candidate lists on the absentee ballots. Westmoreland acknowledged that he was puzzled by the situation and said that he was relieved to have been explained.
“The machine can read the right oval. The machine reads the oval but not the printed name. “So if anybody were to vote in my favor, then it would give me the vote and vice-versa,” he stated. However, he stated that a resolution is in place which he is satisfied with. Westmoreland declared, “I think that everything will be okay.”
Both candidates shared their experiences with WISN 12 News, stating that 700 ballots were originally prepared for mailing out. However 500 were found at the Post Office before being mailed.
Annette Jackson was the other candidate in District 5. She stated, “Accountability, it’s what’s most essential, so they were accountable, and they let me know, so that I didn’t need to find out via other means,”
She acknowledged that mistakes do happen. It’s a matter of gratitude that it is being dealt with. WISN 12 News was informed by the election commission that new ballots had been sent and that if they don’t receive them, they will correct the original ballots so the voter gets the best candidate.
Jackson stated, “Ofcourse, I was completely surprised and shocked. But once I got past the shock, it was okay for me to be OK with it.”
Claire Woodall – Vogg, executive director of Election Commission, stated to WISN 12 News that every ballot will be reviewed and confirmed by two election workers.
You can still vote early in Milwaukee until Saturday Election Day will be April 4.