Ozaukee County Board of Canvassers — Minutes

COUNTY BOARD OF CANVASSERS SPRING ELECTION APRIL 7, 2026 The Ozaukee County Board of Canvass met on Monday, April 13 , 2026 in Room 118 of the Administration Center for the purpose of canvassing the April 7, 2026 Spring Election. Meeting called to order at 8:05am. Present: County Clerk Kretlow, Republican Party Representative Carol Boettcher , Democratic Party Representative Nick Korger, Deputy County Clerk Hoff and Chief Deputy County Clerk Henning Others present: Corporation Counsel Gorden, Caroline Fochs – Clerk, City of Mequon, Nina Beck – Fair Elections Center, Pat Morrissey – League of Women Voters, Nick Boelke – Republican Parry Counsel, Dan Eastman – Wisconsin Center for Election Justice, Robert Gosewehr, Kathy Broghammer, Evie Zganjar, Neal Linkon, Stephani Kohl, Brittany Vulich, and TR Edwards – Law Forward County Clerk Kretlow reviewed the steps taken to prepare for the County Board of Canvassers. The Board of Canvass accepted the information. The following are the findings, by reporting unit, of the Board of Canvassers upon review of the election results. Town of Belgium: ICE - 510 Voter List – 510 Town of Cedarburg: Wards 1,2: ICE - 508 Voter List – 508 Wards 3,4 ICE – 505 Voter List – 505 Wards 5,6,10: ICE - 762 Voter List – 762 Wards 7,8,9: ICE - 683 Voter List – 683 Town of Fredonia: ICE – 678 Voter List – 678 Town of Grafton: Wards 1,2,5 ICE - 844 Voter List – 844 Wards 3,4,6: ICE - 863 Voter List – 863 Town of Port Washington: ICE - 530 Voter List – 530 Ozaukee County Board of Canvassers April 13, 2026 Page 2 of 7 Town of Saukville: ICE – 626 Voter List – 626 Village of Bayside: ICE - 51 Voter List – 51 Village of Belgium: ICE – 667 Voter List – 666 The Inspectors’ Statement indicates the ballots were manually counted: 667 ballots. A ballot was not created in WisVote for a voter on the municipality’s SVD list in error. Therefore, when data from WisVote was downloaded to Badger Books, the Badger Books did not include that voter. This makes the total number of voters 667 which equals the number of ballots manually counted. Village of Fredonia: ICE – 600 Voter List – 600 Village of Grafton: Wards 1,2 ICE - 669 Voter List – 669 Wards 3,4 ICE – 505 Voter List – 505 The Inspectors’ Statement indicates an absentee ballot was found in a transfer container after the election was closed. The Municipal Board of Canvass assigned Voter #506 to the voter and adjusted the results tape to reflect the votes cast. The County Board of Canvassers adjusted the candidate totals accordingly in the canvass system. This makes the total number of voters 506 and total number of ballots 506. Wards 5,6 ICE – 542 Voter List – 545 The Inspectors’ Statement indicates the ballots were manually counted: 542 ballots. Two (2) voters inadvertently received a Ward 7,8 ballot. The total number of ballots counted for both reporting units equals 1098. The total number of voters for both reporting units equals 1098. Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher questioned the reason for the rejected absentee ballot as the written explanation was not clear . Corporation Counsel Gorden referenced State Statute 7.60(3) and her interpretation of such. Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher opened the Certificate of Rejected Absentee Ballot Envelope (EL-102) to review the application/certificate envelope (EL -122) to determine the exact reason for rejection to be certain the ballot was rejected correctly. Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher determined the ballot was rejected correctly and resealed the application/certification envelope in a new Certificate of Rejected Absentee Ballot Envelope (EL-102). Wards 7,8 ICE – 556 Voter List – 553 The Inspectors’ Statement indicates the ballots were manually counted: 556 ballots. Two (2) voters inadvertently received a Ward 5,6 ballot. The total number of ballots counted for both reporting units equals 1098. The total number of voters for both reporting units equals 1098. Ozaukee County Board of Canvassers April 13, 2026 Page 3 of 7 Village of Grafton Wards 9,10 ICE – 611 Voter List – 610 The Inspectors’ Statement indicates the ballots were manually counted multiple times: 612 ballots. One (1) voter inadvertently received a Ward 11,12 ballot. The total number of ballots counted for both reporting units equals 1065. The total number of voters for both reporting units equals 1066. Wards 11,12 ICE – 454 Voter List – 456 The Inspectors’ Statement indicates the ballots were manually counted multiple times: 453 ballots. One (1) voter inadvertently received a Ward 9,10 ballot. The total number of ballots counted for both reporting units equals 1065. The total number of voters for both reporting units equals 1066. It is believed that one (1) voter left without casting their ballot. Wards 13,14 ICE - 684 Voter List – 682 The Inspectors’ Statement indicates the ballots were manually counted: 684 ballots. Two (2) voters inadvertently received a Ward 15 ballot. The total number of ballots counted for both reporting units equals 767. The total number of voters for both reporting units equals 767. Ward 15 ICE – 83 Voter List – 85 The Inspectors’ Statement indicates the ballots were manually counted: 83 ballots. Two (2) voters inadvertently received a Ward 13,14 ballot. The total number of ballots counted for both reporting units equals 767. The total number of voters for both reporting units equals 767. Village of Newburg: ICE – 18 Voter List – 18 Village of Saukville: Wards 1,6,7,8 ICE - 533 Voter List – 531 The Inspectors’ Statement indicates the ballots were manually counted: 531 ballots. Two (2) voters inadvertently received a Ward 2,3,4,5 ballot. The total number of ballots counted for both reporting units equals 1038. The total number of voters for both reporting units equals 1038. The Inspectors’ Statement is completed incorrectly; The Total Number of Ballots Cast should be 533. Wards 2,3,4,5 ICE - 505 Voter List – 507 The Inspectors’ Statement indicates the ballots were manually counted: 507 ballots. Two (2) voters inadvertently received a Ward 1,6,7,8 ballot. The total number of ballots counted for both reporting units equals 1038. The total number of voters for both reporting units equals 1038. The Inspectors’ Statement is completed incorrectly; the Total Number of Ballots Cast should be 505. Ozaukee County Board of Canvassers April 13, 2026 Page 4 of 7 Village of Thiensville: Wards 1,2: ICE - 743 Voter List – 743 Wards 3,4: ICE - 451 Voter List – 451 City of Cedarburg: Ward 1: ICE - 818 Voter List – 818 Ward 2: ICE - 621 Voter List – 621 Ward 3: ICE - 659 Voter List – 659 Ward 4: ICE -553 Voter List – 553 Ward 5: ICE - 567 Voter List – 567 Ward 6: ICE - 716 Voter List – 717 The Inspectors’ Statement indicates the ballots were manually counted: 716 ballots. All voter slips and absentee envelopes were checked and accounted for. It is believed that one (1) voter left without casting their ballot. Ward 7: ICE - 758 Voter List – 758 County Clerk Kretlow allowed Mequon City Clerk, Caroline Fochs, to introduce herself and to explain the City’s basis for rejecting absentee ballots when the application/certificate envelope (EL-122) does not contain a complete address , including the state. Ms. Fochs also requested that, if the Ozaukee County Board of Canvassers change/overrule her process, to provide an explanation as to why. City of Mequon: Wards 1,2,3: ICE – 1134 Voter List – 1134 Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher questioned the reason for one (1) of the rejected ballots due to the written explanation: “Witness Address City as “Verona” – multiple Veronas in USA”. County Clerk Kretlow provided an opportunity for attendees from the public to speak regarding the reason for rejection of the absentee ballot in question with many referencing Wisconsin State Statute 7.60(3) and an interpretation of “defective return” within the referenced statute. Ozaukee County Board of Canvassers April 13, 2026 Page 5 of 7 Ms. Boettcher provided background on prior decisions of the Board of Canvassers regarding this subject and feels that this absentee ballot should not be rejected per her interpretation of the Wisconsin Election Commission’s (WEC) ruling. Mr. Korger concurred with Ms. Boettcher, citing Rise v. Wisconsin Elections Commission, that the ballot was improperly rejected. Mr. Korger also stated that there is room for interpretation of the statutes. Corporation Counsel Gorden advises that the returns are not defective, and because there is room for interpretation of the statutes, does not feel the Board of Canvass should delve into this issue any deeper. In addition, the Board of Canvass cannot overrule the municipal clerk’s decision. 9:44 AM Corporation Counsel excused. Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher opened the Certificate of Rejected Absentee Ballot Envelope (EL -102) to review the application/certificate envelope (EL -122) in question to determine the exact reason for rejection. Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher believe the ballot was improperly rejected. Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher resealed the application/certification envelope in a new Certificate of Rejected Absentee Ballot Envelope (EL-102). Break: 10:01 AM Reconvened: 10:10 AM Ward 4,5: ICE – 1345 Voter List – 1345 Ward 6,7,8: ICE – 1104 Voter List – 1104 Wards 9,10,11: ICE - 1153 Voter List – 1153 Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher questioned the reason for one (1) of the rejected ballots due to the written explanation: “Multiple Fox Points in US”. Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher opened the Certificate of Rejected Absentee Ballot Envelope (EL -102) to review the application/certificate envelope (EL -122) in question to determine the exact reason for rejection. Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher believe the ballot was improperly rejected. Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher resealed the application/certification envelope in a new Certificate of Rejected Absentee Ballot Envelope (EL-102). Wards 12,13: ICE – 700 Voter List – 700 Wards 14,15,16: ICE - 1100 Voter List – 1100 Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher questioned the reason for the rejected ballots due to the written explanations: 1) Ambiguous witness “Baltimore” City and 2) Ambiguous witness “Houston” City. Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher opened the Certificate of Rejected Absentee Ballot Envelope (EL -102) to review the application/certificate envelopes (EL -122) in question to determine the exact reason for Ozaukee County Board of Canvassers April 13, 2026 Page 6 of 7 rejection. Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher believe the ballots were improperly rejected. Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher resealed the application/certification envelopes in a new Certificate of Rejected Absentee Ballot Envelope (EL-102). Ward 17,18: ICE - 1140 Voter List – 1140 Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher questioned the reason for one (1) of the rejected ballots due to the written explanation: “Multiple Fox Points in the USA”. Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher opened the Certificate of Rejected Absentee Ballot Envelope (EL -102) to review the application/certificate envelope (EL -122) in question to determine the exact reason for rejection. Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher believe the ballot was improperly rejected. Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher resealed the application/certification envelope in a new Certificate of Rejected Absentee Ballot Envelope (EL-102). Wards 19,20: ICE - 1086 Voter List – 1085 The Inspectors’ Statement indicates the ballots were manually counted multiple times: 1 085 ballots. The ICE machine shows 1086 ballots were processed. The discrepancy of the machine count and the manual count is due to one (1) ballot jam as the ballot was reinserted, in error, into the machine. City of Port Washington: Wards 1,9: ICE – 653 Voter List – 653 Ward 7: ICE – 646 Voter List – 646 Ward 2: ICE - 585 Voter List – 585 Ward 3: ICE - 641 Voter List – 641 Wards 4,8: ICE – 601 Voter List – 601 Ward 5: ICE – 638 Voter List – 638 Ward 6 ICE – 437 Voter List – 438 The Inspectors’ Statement indicates the ballots were manually counted multiple times: 437 ballots. Voter slips were compared to the voter number log in Badger Books. The ballot box was checked multiple times. Absentee envelopes were checked twice. Due diligence was done in reconciling the difference. Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher questioned the reason for the one (1) rejected ballot due to the written explanation: “Incomplete Witness Address”. Ozaukee County Board of Canvassers April 13, 2026 Page 7 of 7 Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher opened the Certificate of Rejected Absentee Ballot Envelope (EL -102) to review the application/certification envelope (EL -122) to determine the exact reason for rejection to be certain the ballot was rejected correctly. Mr. Korger and Ms. Boettcher determined the ballot was rejected correctly and resealed the application/certification envelopes in a new Certificate of Rejected Absentee Ballot Envelope (EL-102). Final reports were reviewed and signed by the canvass members. Moved by Mr. Korger, seconded by Ms. Boettcher to adjourn the meeting at 11:00 am. Motion carried. Lisa M. Henning, Chief Deputy County Clerk