The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) has ordered Green Bay City Clerk Celestine Jeffreys to adhere to state election laws after she repeatedly failed to complete required Election Day registration audits in recent years. This ruling, issued on the eve of a major election, is being hailed as a win for election integrity in Wisconsin, a key swing state where election laws are closely watched.

The directive from WEC follows a complaint filed by the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), which detailed Jeffreys’ lack of compliance with mandated voter registration audits. According to the complaint, Jeffreys did not properly audit Election Day registrations in multiple elections from 2020 through 2023. These audits are crucial for identifying ineligible voters who may have used Election Day registration to cast fraudulent ballots.

“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 found probable cause that Jeffreys’ actions violated Wisconsin election law. The order requires Jeffreys to complete audits on Election Day registrations and to certify her compliance with WEC no later than February 2025. The commission also reminded Jeffreys of updated guidance issued in February 2023, which mandates strict handling of returned Election Day registration postcards.

Jeffreys has previously acknowledged her failures, citing a “lack of awareness” about statutory requirements as Green Bay’s top election official. However, PILF and WEC both emphasized that ignorance does not excuse failure to follow established law, especially in such a critical area of election integrity.

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 described WEC’s ruling as “a win for the rule of law.” He stated that PILF would continue monitoring compliance, ensuring election officials audit all addresses provided on Election Day. According to Adams, “Nobody should think they can use Election Day Registration to cast a fraudulent ballot and get away with it.”

As one of the most contested swing states, Wisconsin’s election procedures are under intense scrutiny, especially in the wake of concerns about ballot harvesting and election law adherence. With Jeffreys now required to follow state law closely, election integrity advocates see this as a significant step forward.