Complaint seeks WEC action after Milwaukee primary reporting errors and access changes

# What happened On Aug. 11, at Milwaukee's central count facility, a team led by the deputy director downloaded audit logs instead of election results on five of nine tabulators. That mistake delayed reporting of unofficial primary results. The Milwaukee Elections Commission (MEC) acknowledged the error.

# Why a complaint was filed An observer, Justin Gavery, together with the Center for Election Confidence, filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC). The complaint argues that the tabulator download error is part of a pattern of failures by MEC and that WEC's response so far has been insufficient.

At two WEC meetings — Aug. 31 and Sept. 9 — commissioners chose not to open a formal investigation. On Aug. 31 WEC sent a written letter to MEC. On Sept. 9 the commission declined to pursue further action and decided to move on. The complaint says a letter and a decision to move on do not constitute meaningful oversight.

# Additional issues alleged in the complaint The filing lists other concerns beyond the tabulator mistake:

• Advance notice was allegedly not provided for a meeting of the board of absentee ballot canvassers.
• No advance notice was given for a meeting to conduct the public pre-election test of tabulators.

The complaint also states that windows previously allowing observation into ballot-handling rooms were initially covered or obscured and later walled off, permanently preventing line-of-sight observation.

# What the complaint asks WEC to do The complainants want WEC to intervene and hold the City of Milwaukee and MEC accountable. The filing frames this as a timely demand with the general election approaching, arguing that the oversight body must act rather than issue informal guidance.

One of the attorneys representing the complainants, Nicholas J. Boerke of Chalmers, Adams, Backer & Wallen, said in a statement that Milwaukee has a long record of election administration problems and that voters deserve better. The complaint asks WEC to use its authority to require substantive remedial steps.

# Context and related developments Separate coverage and legal commentary note that election officials in Milwaukee are adding safeguards after the reporting error. An audit referenced in related reporting found no evidence of tampering in connection with the technical error, according to voting system experts. Those items are in the public record but are not part of the complaint's core allegations.

# What to watch next Expect WEC to respond to the complaint by either opening an investigation, issuing an enforcement order, or declining further action. The complaint explicitly frames timing as urgent because the general election is imminent. If WEC opens an inquiry, it could require MEC to adopt procedural safeguards for reporting and observation at central count facilities.

# Bottom line The complaint seeks formal oversight and corrective action after a results-transmission error and a series of procedural concerns at Milwaukee's election operations. It asks the statewide elections authority to move beyond a letter and use its powers to ensure transparent and reliable result reporting before the next major election.