Green Bay City Clerk Celestine Jeffreys has been ordered by the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) to follow the law after failing to conduct mandatory Election Day registration audits over several elections. This order, coming just before Election Day, is seen as a positive development for election integrity in Wisconsin, a state that could play a crucial role in the national outcome.
The commission’s decision is based on a complaint filed by the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), which accused Jeffreys of disregarding procedures that verify the eligibility of voters who registered at polling places on Election Day. The complaint detailed her failure to audit registrations after elections in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, as required under state law.
“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
WEC’s order requires Jeffreys to take “affirmative steps” to complete these audits and certify her compliance with the commission by February 2025. The commission also reiterated guidance from February 2023, which confirmed the requirement for thorough audits and handling of returned postcards to ensure voter addresses are accurate.
Jeffreys has admitted that she was not strictly following the statutory requirements, citing her “lack of awareness” of the rules. However, WEC’s order emphasizes that compliance is mandatory, especially in a state where election rules are under intense scrutiny.
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 called the ruling “a win for the rule of law” and assured that his organization would conduct an investigation to ensure that all necessary audits are performed following this election. Adams emphasized the importance of accurate audits, stating, “Nobody should think they can use Election Day Registration to cast a fraudulent ballot and get away with it.”
With Green Bay’s election oversight tightened, Wisconsin voters can be assured that measures are being enforced to uphold election integrity. As a battleground state, Wisconsin’s adherence to election laws is critical to maintaining public trust.
