In Madison, Wisconsin, approximately 2,200 duplicate absentee ballots were mailed out, causing confusion and sparking false claims from a Republican member of Congress regarding the presence of barcodes on the ballots. It was insinuated that the city clerk was being dishonest about the existence of barcodes on the ballots themselves. However, in Wisconsin, ballots do not actually contain barcodes; instead, the envelopes that the absentee ballots are returned in have barcodes for tracking purposes. This system allows voters to track their ballots and prevents the same voter from casting multiple ballots, whether absentee or in-person on Election Day.

Initially, Madison Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl did not specifically clarify that the barcodes were on the envelopes and not the ballots in a statement released on Monday. However, the statement was later updated to correct this information. Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, known for his support of former President Donald Trump, took to social media to share a picture of an absentee ballot to support his claim of no barcode presence.

Tiffany’s post gained significant traction, amassing over 1 million views by Thursday morning. He also called for an investigation into the matter. Subsequently, Tiffany claimed credit for prompting the clerk to revise the wording of her initial statement by questioning its accuracy.

Madison city spokesperson Dylan Brogan clarified that the wording adjustment in the statement was made for clarity before Tiffany’s remarks. Brogan emphasized that the mailing of duplicate absentee ballots was a minor error that was promptly rectified and would not impact the election outcome. He reassured the public that there are safeguards in place to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

Ann Jacobs, the Democratic chair of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, criticized Tiffany’s actions on social media, questioning whether his actions were based on a lack of knowledge or an attempt to incite outrage. The clerk confirmed that 2,215 duplicate ballots were mailed before the mistake was identified on Monday and reiterated that no duplicate ballots had been returned.

In the broader context of the post-2020 election landscape, where conspiracy theories and false claims of election fraud continue to circulate, there is heightened scrutiny over election processes in key swing states like Wisconsin. Former President Trump’s loss in Wisconsin in 2020 has fueled his ongoing claims of election fraud without substantial evidence. President Joe Biden’s victory in Wisconsin withstood multiple challenges and reviews, further underscoring the integrity of the state’s electoral system.