Earlier this spring, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers drew new assembly districts. This led several municipalities to have their assembly districts changed to new assembly districts. Over in the town of Summit, it was part of Assembly District 73, but then it changed to Assembly District 74. 

However, the Douglas County Clerk Office had the the incorrect former Assembly District on ballots for Summit. This was also the case for the programmed voting machines and absentee ballots circulating in the mail for weeks. 

Mary Smith-Johnson, a volunteer poll worker in the 2024 primary election, says Douglas County is in between the two districts.

“Some of us are still in the 73rd, while some municipalities have shifted. It’s probably like three or four that have significantly changed,” Smith-Johnson said. “When you have situations like this, it helps you become aware of what can happen. Every time you have a new election, you have new rules, you have new ballots, new people working the polls. I think we’re all trying to keep up with the changes that are going on.”

Smith-Johnson says there needs to be more oversight with county clerks to ensure fewer problems with elections.

“Make sure they review each town, each municipality, each assembly district is in its proper category. If this happens again, there’s just going to be more disenfranchised voters, more votes not getting counted, more confusion from poll workers and volunteers.”

Kaci Jo Lundgren, with the Douglas County Clerk’s Office, says all the other contests on the ballot contain the correct districts. Also, all other ballots within Douglas County are correct too.

“My office is committed to transparency and accuracy; our protocols will be thoroughly reviewed. Any procedures that are identified that could eliminate this type of error in the future will be implemented,” Jo Lundgren said. “The number of registered voters in the Town of Summit is 680. The total voter turnout yesterday was 188. If every registered voter, plus any potential Election Day registrations casted a vote, that would equate to approximately 750 votes maximum (although the actual turnout was 188). Looking at the numbers that you have provided in the Assembly District 74 race, it appears the margin of difference is larger than that. Therefore, it is assumed the inclusion of Town of Summit would not make a difference in the outcome.”

For more information on what the voting ballot error in the town of Summit you can look more here.