Investigation underway after more than 1,700 absentee ballots go missing in Madison

MADISON — Postal and city officials say an investigation is underway into missing absentee ballots in Madison.

City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl tells WISC-TV (http://bit.ly/2dWkM3N ) that more than 1,700 ballots were mailed to voters. The ballots were dropped at the Madison Municipal Building post office Sept. 22. Since then, the office has been getting calls from voters who haven't received their ballots.

The ballots were meant for "indefinitely confined" voters, meaning people who aren't well enough to travel to the polls.

So far, the clerk's office has re-issued about 50 absentee ballots. Some 500 voters have already returned their ballots for counting. It's unclear how many may be missing.

Postal Service spokesman Sean Hargadon says it's a high priority, and advised the public to contact their local post office if they have concerns.