Green Bay officials admit an election counting error on Tuesday. Poll workers started counting absentee ballots for the primary elections several hours before the time that had been posted by the clerk. That may have prevented those wanting to witness the count–which is allowed by law–from doing so. The post stated absentee ballots would be counted at 4:00 p-m. Instead, the envelopes were opened starting at 8:30 a-m. City Clerk Celestine Jeffreys was informed of the error at 11:30 that morning and stopped the count. After consulting with the Wisconsin Elections Commission, Jeffreys allowed the count to resume about an hour later. The count was stopped again that afternoon after the Republican Party of Wisconsin sent a cease-and-desist letter to Green Bay City Hall.
Mayor Eric Genrich tweeted out today (quote): Apropos of something: maybe give decency a try — everyone deserves a little grace. That’s especially true of our elections staff in GB and around the state who have been laboring to uphold democracy in the face of a pandemic and a near constant barrage of demagogic attacks.” (end quote)
