Washington Co., WI – It was like a Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys mystery: The Case of the Taped Absentee Ballot Envelope. Word spread across Washington County that some clerks were disqualifying absentee ballots turned in with the envelope sealed with tape.
The November 5, 2024, General Election is around the corner and neighbors have been submitting their absentee ballots; either mailing them in, using local drop boxes, or turning them in at the clerk’s office.
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In Washington County there was mixed reaction with some clerks saying it “was OK” to seal the envelope with tape while others said “it was NOT OK” because a taped envelope could indicate possible tampering of the ballot, taping the envelope shut and then turning it in.
Village of Slinger clerk Tammy Tennies reached out to the Wisconsin Election Commission. That response is below.
Hello Tammy,
Thank you for reaching out. Contact the voter and ask them if they were the ones who taped them shut.
If so, make a note of it so your inspectors know and don’t reject the ballot.
If the voter says it was not them, it needs to be referred to local law enforcement for an investigation into tampering.
Best,
Erin Hoag
Elections Specialist
Wisconsin Elections Commission
If you’ve already turned in your absentee ballot and you did tape it shut, you may want to contact your clerk to confirm all is well and that your ballot will be counted.
Below is a list compiled by Washington County of in-person absentee voting hours starting October 22, 2024. In-person absentee runs through November 3, 2024. According to the Wisconsin Election Commission, “Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, is the last day for a clerk to offer in-person absentee voting.”
