Madison Residents Report Missing Absentee Ballots Ahead of Election

With the 2025 Spring Election just days away, many voters are racing against time to submit their absentee ballots. However, some Madison residents have reported delays in receiving their ballots, leaving them frustrated and searching for answers. One such voter, Karl Kiefer, says he and his wife requested their absentee ballots on March 17, but unlike their daughter, who received hers, their ballots never arrived.

Madison Family Left Waiting for Absentee Ballots

Kiefer, a longtime Madison resident, initially didn’t think much of the delay. “I thought that was odd but gave it a couple of days to see what happens,” he said. However, when March 21 came and went without any sign of his ballot, he decided to investigate. Checking My Vote Wisconsin, he saw that his request had been received, approved, and marked as out for delivery, with an expected arrival date of March 21. But despite the tracking status, the ballot never showed up. Frustrated, Kiefer reached out to 15 Investigates to find out if this was an isolated issue or a more widespread problem.

City Officials Offer Solutions for Delayed Ballots

According to Acting City Clerk Michael Haas, more than 35,000 absentee ballots had been successfully submitted to the City of Madison Clerk’s Office as of Wednesday evening. However, he acknowledged the time crunch for voters still waiting on their ballots. “If your absentee ballot hasn’t arrived yet, it’s not too late to request a new one,” Haas said. He also reminded voters that in-person absentee voting is available through Sunday, March 29, at multiple early voting sites across the city. Additionally, Haas emphasized that mail-in ballots take extra time since Madison’s mail is processed through Milwaukee. Given the short window remaining, he urged voters to consider alternative submission methods, such as:

• In-person submission at the Clerk’s Office

• Dropping off ballots at early voting sites

• Using one of 14 secure ballot drop boxes, which are checked daily (drop boxes close on Monday, March 31, at 5 p.m.)

Determined to Vote No Matter What

Despite the delay, Kiefer remains committed to ensuring his vote counts. He stated that if his absentee ballot doesn’t arrive in time, he will go to the polls on Election Day to vote in person. “I will be there when the doors open,” Kiefer said, determined not to let the delay prevent him from casting his vote. The City Clerk’s Office is encouraging any voters with concerns about their absentee ballots to reach out via email ([email protected]) or phone (608-266-4601) for assistance. Madison residents can also bring completed absentee ballots to their polling place on election day if they prefer not to mail them.