'Very worried:' With primary in 46 days, Milwaukee Election Commission left with leadership hole

MILWAUKEE -- A leadership hole for the Milwaukee Election Commission remains unfilled, just 46 days away from another primary and in the midst of a pandemic that has already thrown elections into unfamiliar territory.  The current executive director, Neil Albrecht, tells FOX6 his last day is Tuesday, June 30.

That means three people who could have stepped in to the lead the commission are gone.

"I am very worried," said Milwaukee Alderman Michael Murphy. "This is a key election, a presidential election, and has major ramifications."

"We have seen across the country how individual counties or cities can be the tipping point for a state, and indirectly, for the country. I am very, very concerned."

Many months before Milwaukee's April election drew long lines and national attention, Albrecht, planned to retire from his position leading the election commission.

In May, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett picked Claire Woodall-Vogg to take over. On June 8, a Milwaukee Common Council committee approved, sending Woodall-Vogg's appointment to the full council.

However, on June 16, the full Milwaukee Common Council unanimously sent all of Mayor Barrett's cabinet appointments  back to committee, wanting to hear their plans to move the city forward amid protests and calls for change.

Now, Woodall-Vogg tells them she is out.

"Very disappointed. I think Claire was an excellent candidate," said Murphy.

Woodall-Vogg said she won't be subject to political grandstanding and that the delay has doubled her workload as she could not hire a new deputy director; two weeks ago, Albrecht's number two in command resigned.

Now, all three election officials are out.

FOX6 asked the mayor's office what comes next for the election commission. In a statement, he wrote:

Once Mayor Barrett appoints a new executive director for the election commission, the Common Council will still need to approve; that process normally runs at least a month.

Alderman Bob Bauman said that is a "big problem."

"Barrett needs to step up immediately to identify a replacement," said Bauman. "Under normal process the Council would not be able to confirm a nominee until late July."

In response to FOX6's further inquiries, Mayor Barrett's spokeswoman says, "The Mayor will assemble a team to get the work of the Election Commission done."

Full statement from Woodall-Vogg to Council members: