In a move hailed as a victory for election integrity, the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) has ordered Green Bay Clerk Celestine Jeffreys to comply with state audit laws that she had previously neglected. This directive arrives just before Election Day, underscoring the importance of following election procedures in battleground states like Wisconsin.
The order is the result of a complaint from the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), which accused Jeffreys of repeatedly failing to audit Election Day registrations. PILF’s complaint highlights that Jeffreys did not follow proper audit protocols after elections from 2020 to 2023, potentially allowing unverified registrations to slip through the system 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
The WEC’s order requires Jeffreys to take “affirmative steps” to conduct all necessary audits and to certify her compliance by February 2025. The commission also reminded her of updated guidance issued in February 2023, reinforcing the mandatory nature of post-election audits to confirm voter eligibility and ensure transparency.
Jeffreys acknowledged her failure to follow these procedures, attributing it to a “lack of awareness” of the statutory requirements. However, the WEC’s order underscores the need for election officials to fully understand and implement state election laws, particularly in a state as politically competitive as Wisconsin.
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 praised the WEC’s decision, calling it a “win for the rule of law.” He added that PILF would continue to observe compliance with audit requirements. “Nobody should think they can use Election Day Registration to cast a fraudulent ballot and get away with it,” Adams stated.
With Wisconsin expected to be a close race, adherence to election procedures is crucial. The WEC’s ruling is seen as a vital step in ensuring that voting laws are respected and that election integrity is upheld in this key state.
