Three tubs of lost votes found at a mail processing center in Milwaukee after polls close.

MADISON – Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) released the following statement after three tubs of ballots for Oshkosh and Appleton were discovered at a mail processing center in Milwaukee after polls closed on Tuesday:

“It’s not surprising there would be absentee ballot issues given the surge in demand and chaos of having an election that did not need to, and should not have been held during this public health emergency.

“I’m disappointed that I, and hundreds of my constituents, were unable to vote or were forced to risk their health and the health of others. It will be important to get answers on why and how this happened. The Wisconsin Elections Commission and the Department of Justice should investigate this and any other irregularities reported from Tuesday’s elections.

“With elections in May, August, and November, it is imperative that the Legislature act to implement a mail only ballot voting system during the length of this pandemic. This includes funding the resources necessary to support the WEC and our local clerks in safely and securely implementing such a system, used effectively already in other states. This should be an immediate priority.”