Judge Allows Counting of Absentee Ballots with Incomplete Witness Addresses, Potentially Heading to Wisconsin Supreme Court

MADISON, Wis. – A Dane County judge has made a ruling allowing clerks in Wisconsin to count absentee ballots that have missing witness address information, opposing a previous ruling by Waukesha County. This decision may lead to an appeal to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Judge Ryan Nilsestuen of the Dane County Circuit Court issued two rulings on Tuesday regarding witness addresses on absentee ballot envelopes. According to state law, absentee voter witnesses are required to sign the envelopes and include their address. However, the definition of what constitutes an address has been a subject of … Read more

Wisconsin Court Ruling Protects Absentee Ballots with Minor Errors, Ensures Voting Rights

MADISON, Wis. – A recent court ruling in Wisconsin has resolved a legal dispute over the acceptance of absentee ballots with minor errors. The ruling allows election clerks in the state to accept such ballots, even if they contain incomplete witness addresses. This decision comes after a contentious battle between conservatives and liberals in the battleground state. The lawsuit, brought by the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, sought to clarify the voting rights protections for absentee voters whose ballots have minor errors in listing their witnesses’ addresses. The Dane County Circuit Court ultimately ruled … Read more

Overhauling Absentee Ballot Standards: Dane County Judge Rules Witness Address Requirements Invalid

City, State – In a significant development regarding the standards for a witness’ address on an absentee ballot envelope, a Dane County judge has issued two rulings that will reshape the criteria for these ballots to be counted. The judge’s decisions include dismissing the Elections Commission’s requirement for street number, street name, and municipality on the envelope. Additionally, the judge ruled that clerks cannot reject absentee ballots if witnesses fail to include certain information, such as the ZIP code or municipality. These rulings contradict a previous decision made by a Waukesha County judge in September … Read more