Milwaukee has ordered a recount of approximately 31,000 absentee ballots, a move likely to delay Wisconsin’s final election results in this critical swing state. The recount decision came after election officials identified issues with 13 ballot tabulators, some of which were either missing physical seals or had not been properly secured. Milwaukee spokesperson Jeff Fleming explained that the recount, which was agreed upon by both Republican and Democratic officials, was ordered “out of an abundance of caution” to ensure the accuracy of the results, despite anticipated delays.
As Wisconsin’s largest city, Milwaukee plays a significant role in determining the outcome of elections in this highly contested state. The state itself is one of three Rust Belt regions that voted for Trump in 2016 before narrowly flipping to Biden in 2020, who won by a margin of 20,682 votes. This narrow victory margin emphasizes the need for transparency and diligence in the ballot-counting process, according to Fleming. However, Republican National Committee officials criticized Milwaukee’s election administration, with Chairman Michael Whatley and Co-Chair Lara Trump urging officials to conduct the recount quickly and accurately, warning that delays could harm voter confidence.
