Mayor appoints new Madison City Clerk after the uncounted ballots debacle

MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – Madison is getting a new city clerk, who will have to adhere to new requirements after the uncounted ballots saga. 

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway appointed Lydia McComas to the position. McComas was most recently the Voter Engagement Division Manager for Hennepin County, Minnesota.

“I think she’ll be able to offer a valuable fresh perspective to our Clerk’s Office operations, while building on the many areas of strength the office has established over the years,” the mayor said in a statement. “She has strong communication skills and has led voter education campaigns with both community groups and the wider public. She’s well-positioned to lead the Clerk’s Office as we work to strengthen our operations.” 

She’ll replace Maribeth Witzel-Behl, who oversaw the department when 193 ballots went uncounted in November. That resulted in two investigations and a declaration from the Wisconsin Elections Commission that Witzel-Behl broke the law. 

City attorney Mike Haas has been the interim clerk, he’s a former administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission. 

Just last week, the Elections Commission ordered that the Madison clerk’s office has to adhere to new rules going forward to prevent the same thing from happening in the future. McComas will have to navigate those new requirements. 

“I am truly honored to step into the role of City Clerk and to serve Madison residents,” McComas said in a statement released by the city. “I will work every day to uphold the values of accountability, accuracy, and accessibility that are essential to this office.”

McComas’ first day is September 29.