The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) has mandated that Green Bay Clerk Celestine Jeffreys comply with election laws regarding voter registration audits, a ruling viewed as a win for election integrity. The decision, which comes just before Election Day, aims to restore confidence in election procedures in Wisconsin, a state that could play a critical role in national results.
The order follows a complaint from the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), which highlighted Jeffreys’ failure to complete audits of Election Day voter registrations in several recent elections. According to the complaint, Jeffreys did not perform the required audits after elections from 2020 to 2023, potentially leaving unverified or ineligible registrations unchecked.
“It's the fifth time that Green Bay Clerk Celestine Jeffreys has personally been a respondent to a Wisconsin Elections Commission complaint since 2021.”
— Jennifer Asper (@j3669) September 25, 2024
In response, the WEC has instructed Jeffreys to immediately take “affirmative steps” to complete all outstanding audits and to certify her compliance by early 2025. The commission also cited updated guidelines from February 2023, which stress the necessity of these audits to ensure that voter registrations are legitimate.
Jeffreys admitted she had not adhered to these requirements, explaining that her oversight was due to a “lack of awareness” of the statutory obligations. However, the WEC emphasized that compliance with audit laws is crucial, especially in high-stakes elections where every vote matters.
Controversial Wisconsin Clerk Admits To Violating Election Laws
It’s more of the same from Celestine Jeffreys in a city that made national news during the Zuckerbucks scandal of 2020. pic.twitter.com/Pv5cm5vTzg— Doug M (@DougM52019872) May 15, 2024
PILF President J. Christian Adams commended the ruling, describing it as “a win for the rule of law.” Adams also confirmed that PILF would continue monitoring compliance, ensuring that election officials adhere to the state’s audit procedures. “Nobody should think they can use Election Day Registration to cast a fraudulent ballot and get away with it,” he said.
With Wisconsin’s importance in the election landscape, this order from the WEC reinforces transparency and fairness. The ruling is a crucial step in promoting election integrity and ensuring all voting laws are strictly followed in this battleground state.
