MADISON, Wis. — In a small town of approximately 800 residents in Wisconsin, all three local election officials resigned last week due to a long-standing conflict, right before in-person absentee voting was set to begin in this important swing state. The local elections will occur just a month ahead of the crucial Nov. 5 election.
To ensure electoral processes continue smoothly, an interim clerk was appointed last week for the central Wisconsin community of Westfield, where 538 ballots were cast in the 2020 presidential election. In that election, President Joe Biden secured Wisconsin by a narrow margin of just under 21,000 votes, although he was defeated in Westfield by a margin of 137 votes.
Courtney Trimble, who serves as the deputy clerk in Marquette County, has been temporarily appointed to oversee the elections in Westfield, as reported by local sources. Trimble remarked that her previous experience as a town clerk in the nearby community of Packwaukee and her current role as an election specialist give her confidence in managing the upcoming elections. “I have zero concerns,” she stated, expressing her readiness to train new election workers within the brief time available.
Following her appointment, Trimble noted that six volunteers had come forward to assist, and others had expressed their willingness to contribute even before the recent resignations occurred. The disagreements that led to these resignations are tied to an ongoing local dispute involving a former town board chair who recently lost a recall election, highlighting the tension within the community, according to local reports.