
Green Bay City Clerk Celestine Jeffreys has been ordered by the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) to comply with state election laws following a history of failing to conduct mandatory post-election audits. This decision, handed down just before Election Day, is being celebrated as a win for election integrity in Wisconsin, a crucial battleground state.
The order follows a complaint filed by the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), which outlined several violations by Jeffreys. According to the complaint, Jeffreys repeatedly ignored requirements to verify the eligibility of voters who registered on Election Day, failing to conduct audits in elections dating back to 2020. These audits are critical for ensuring that only eligible votes are counted.
“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 directive requires Jeffreys to take immediate “affirmative steps” to complete the mandated audits and certify her compliance to the commission by February 2025. WEC also reminded Jeffreys of updated guidance issued in early 2023, which made clear that audits of Election Day registrations are mandatory for maintaining transparency.
Jeffreys admitted that she had not followed these requirements, claiming her actions were due to a “lack of awareness” rather than intentional wrongdoing. However, the WEC underscored that strict adherence to election procedures is essential to prevent any potential abuse of Election Day registration laws.
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 order a “win for the rule of law” and announced plans to monitor election officials’ compliance with audit requirements. “Nobody should think they can use Election Day Registration to cast a fraudulent ballot and get away with it,” Adams said, emphasizing the importance of thorough audits.
As one of the most hotly contested states, Wisconsin’s commitment to election integrity remains critical. With stricter oversight in place, the WEC’s ruling is seen as an important step to uphold fair and transparent election processes in this swing state.