Full Breakdown
Milwaukee Election Operations Stumble Again: Flash-Drive Error Delays Primary Results
8/13/2026, 1:31:49 AM
Recent Flash-Drive Error Delays Primary Results
During the August 2026 Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, Milwaukee’s central counting center uploaded audit logs onto flash drives instead of the actual absentee-ballot results. Five of the nine drives contained the wrong files, forcing staff to retrieve the correct data from the original machines and re-upload it to the county courthouse. The mistake delayed the reporting of roughly 28,000 absentee ballots, leaving the governor’s race unresolved until early Wednesday.
Background of Recent Election Issues
The flash-drive incident marks the third major disruption to Milwaukee’s elections since 2024. In November 2024, officials discovered that the doors on 13 ballot tabulators had not been properly sealed, prompting a recount of about 31,000 absentee ballots. No evidence of tampering was found, but the recount delayed the presidential-election results. In April 2025, ballot shortages affected 69 of the city’s 180 polling locations during a Wisconsin Supreme Court election, with nine sites running out of ballots entirely and voters waiting hours for replacements.
Key Figures
- Paulina Gutiérrez – Executive Director of the Milwaukee Election Commission; identified the flash-drive error as human error and oversaw the corrective process.
- George Christenson – Milwaukee County Clerk; announced the final vote totals for the primary after the delay was resolved.
Data & Statistics
- Flash-drive error: 5 of 9 drives contained audit logs rather than results.
- Absentee ballots affected: Approximately 28,000 delayed; nearly 15,000 still uncounted at the time of the error.
- Primary vote totals (as reported after correction): David Crowley 65,131 votes (43.04 %); Francesca Hong 62,739 votes (41.46 %); margin of 2,392 votes.
- Statewide count at the time: 94 % of Wisconsin votes counted when the error was discovered; 98 % counted shortly thereafter.
Official Statements & Responses
The Election Commission’s leadership described the flash-drive mishap as a human error and emphasized that the mistake did not affect ballot integrity. After the issue was corrected, officials said the final results reflected the true voter intent. Following the earlier ballot-shortage problem, the commission announced plans to revise ballot-preparation procedures to reduce the likelihood of similar shortages in future elections.
