Municipal Clerk Nominations
Thank you Wisconsin Clerks!
May 5th – May 11th 2024 is the 55th Annual Municipal Clerks Week
Municipal clerks are in charge of elections for your city, town, or village. They handle voter registrations and absentee ballots for voters in your community. You can look up your Municipal Clerk’s name and contact information here via the My Vote WI site.
At the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition, we know how impactful Municipal Clerks are in making the voting process welcoming and inclusive and we want to recognize their efforts by highlighting best practices and how they make voting possible by reducing barriers.
Municipal Clerks Week was initiated in 1969 by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks and endorsed by all its members throughout the United States, Canada and 15 other countries. It is a time of celebration and reflection on the importance of the Clerk’s office.
We invited community members to recognize their municipal clerk and received many responses recognizing the outstanding work of municipal clerks across Wisconsin. Submissions recognizing Wisconsin clerks may be viewed on our website below and on our Facebook page. The WDVC thanks Wisconsin clerks for their hard work to ensure our elections are accessible for voters with disabilities and to safeguard the health, safety, and rights of voters.
Jerri Johnson
Nominated by Carol Buchanan
"Jerri was thrown into this with 2 weeks to spare. She spent endless hours making sure it was going to be ok. She added signs at higher level for easier reading. Curb side help. Etc..."
Cynthia Anderegg
Nominated by Jeanine Nugent
"Cynthia has been amazing to work with on so many levels. My daughter Jaidan has a TBI and is very proud to be a Wisconsin Voter. Whether working with Jaidan on obtaining an absentee ballot, creating a voting environment that’s welcoming and accessible for all ability levels, or taking the time to listen and hear any suggestions Jaidan may have Cynthia has been amazing at encouraging JAIDAN to be an active and involved voter! She ensures our voting location has multiple ways to vote the day of elections including handicap parking, accessible voting machines, and assistance when needed and appropriate."
Brenda Zeman
Nominated by Peter Heide
"When I called to ask about receiving training in the use of our accessible equipment, Brenda arranged a time for me to come in before election day to be able to become familiar with it. She has trained workers to expect me and be ready to assist me to the proper booth."
Marcy Grainger
Nominated by Sheri Pounds
"Marcy has worked with several community organizations to help eliminate barriers for our communities’ voters. She has supported the Beloit NAACP to hold Sunday absentee voting after worship services. This was well attended by many working community members and our elderly and disabled voters. She also worked with city staff to have free bus transportation on Election Day. Our city council voted to make this a practice for every election day going forward. Marcy has also presented at events to help citizens understand the importance of not only voting but serving as election workers. Marcy works very hard for our community, and I am proud to nominate her as our outstanding clerk!"
Michelle Luedtke
Nominated by Mary Ann Biederwolf
"Michelle’s training sessions always include a focus on those with disabilities. She sends out emails well ahead of election time to encourage volunteers to work care facilities/assisted living/nursing homes. She also provides specific training for those poll workers engaged there."
Bridget Givens
Nominated by two people!
"Bridget does an amazing job training the election workers. Her material is organized and easy to understand. We just started using Badger Books. She created 25-30 scenarios, that covered so many possibilities. She goes the extra mile on election day. Her demeanor is calming. Our tallying machine was not accepting ballots. We had a replacement machine within 30 minutes. Bridget is also very friendly and welcoming at the office. Chippewa Falls is fortunate to have such an amazing professional in the clerk position."
"I am the Children's Librarian in Chippewa Falls. In the last few years we have worked with Bridget to share our children's space at the library during polling. What began in necessity during the pandemic, providing space for social distancing while voting, has evolved into a collaboration moving forward, making voting easy and accessible for the ward the library is in. I want to honor Bridget's handling of creating the best polling experience available given the strictures in place, particularly one that is easily accessible for those with vision or mobility differences. Bridget is practical, kind, and cognizant of the impacts organizing polling spaces has on other municipal services. She has advocated for compensatory acknowledgement for our impacted services, trying to balance the everyday work that the library does with the sporadic but impactful work that is entailed in voting."
Sally Kenney
Nominated by two people!
"Sally is a bright spot for anyone who enters the Municipal Building or calls with questions. She always ensures there is ample parking and ensures if there is an access need beyond what was anticipated to ensure easy voting for all. She and her team spring into action to seek an appropriate solution!"
"When Sally was elected in 2018 she worked tirelessly to get the office cleaned up and in shape to follow standard practices. Sally is always present at the elections and she makes sure everyone who wants to vote legally has the opportunity. Sally is a quiet lady who gives 100% to her position. She deserves to be recognized."
Nickki Elsen
Nominated by Martha Linville
"Nickki opened new early voting sites and increased hours. She had Hmong translators and helpers at polling sites to assist those who need help. Nickki worked in cooperation with a local active group to provide that service."
Maribeth Witzel-Behl
Nominated by Louise Lund
"Maribeth keeps us all well trained, well informed, and well educated. She is super supportive, always positive and up beat, always encouraging us to be better poll workers."
Heather Harris
Nominated by Dawn Zimmerman
"She responded to my general request for absentee ballots in this years upcoming elections... when I was confused I didn't get one she patiently explained that the election I was referring to was not for all of Madison and did not apply to me. I did receive the most recent one and should be receiving one for the presidential election. She takes the time to write out what she did and what to expect and is patient with questions. Nice person all around!"
Jessica Schiferl
Nominated by Tom Loucks
"Jessica is always going above and beyond her duties as the City Clerk. She provides special training opportunities, goes to assisted living centers to help encourage residents to vote and provides them information. She provides city communications with information for transparency, so everyone has equal rights and understands the latest rules."
Alene Houser
Nominated by Neil Stechschulte
"I am the City Administrator for the City of Monona, Wisconsin. Our Clerk, Alene Houser always goes out of her way to make herself available to our senior residents to assist with registration and questions about absentee ballots in person at City Hall whenever she can. However, the main reason I would like to recognize her was for her in person, on site assistance with absentee voting she provided to our residents at Heritage Monona Senior Living Facility. Her efforts were above and beyond the call of duty, and helped ensure that the voice of these senior residents with limited mobility was heard this past election. She is a tremendous asset to the City of Monona, and especially to our Senior population."
Candee Christen
Nominated by Keri Wright
"I am the Activity Director at a nursing home in Stoughton and have been working with Candee the past four years to ensure all residents have the right to vote. Candee has been absolutely PHENOMENAL and only gets better each year we work together for the residents. She is super organized, sends emails with the registered residents and is great at communicating with us if she needs any further information. When I first started, I had no experience with helping older adults vote, and Candee was kind enough to set up a meeting with us all and others in the area to go through the process."
Elena Hilby
Nominated by Christopher Mertes
"Elena is conscientious about voting in Sun Prairie. The city sends election deputies to local senior centers and senior residential facilities so they can vote, maintains regular and lower polling stations for those in wheelchairs and has a special voting machine for those who can't hold a pen to mark a ballot. Elena also welcomes retirees as poll workers and makes sure they are trained by offering video training in all aspects of election work."
Diane Coenen
Nominated by Ryan Cox
"On Election Day, April 2, 2024, volunteers with the Election Protection coalition noticed that polling places in Oconomowoc were lacking instructional signage or information for voters who might need to vote curbside due to a disability. Ms. Coenen was very responsive to the requests that this issue be resolved, immediately went in to action to correct the oversight, and indicated it would be addressed in future elections to guarantee accessibility for voters with disabilities. Her willingness to be responsive to voting rights advocates in real time, and solving an immediate accessibility problem at Oconomowoc's four polling places is deserving of recognition."
Rebecca Ness
Nominated by Claire Letourneaux
"Rebecca is conscientious and efficient at all election process details. She assures the items needed by anyone with disabilities are provided. These include working elevator, special voting equipment, braille ballots and personal help as needed. She shows respect to all voters and volunteers. Her pleasant yet professional demeanor is appreciated by all."
Tracy Glodowski
Nominated by Allen Zander
"Tracy has secured the community room at the Central Wisconsin Electric Co-op to hold the voting for the Town of Alban. This past election she secured 4 Express Vote machines and had them set up in such a way that all machines were accessible to anyone who would come to cast their ballot."
Cynthia Sieracki
Nominated by Sandra Rohde
"Cynthia made sure that we had automated doors installed during COVID, express vote machines, curbside voting provided."
Karen Singer
Nominated by three people!
"Karen does an excellent job with the elections; always making sure that the workers go through the training that is required. She also posts on our sign when the election is do people that might not vote will see it. She makes people aware that they can vote early which helps the elderly be able to make it on their own time and not being rushed. She makes sure all voting information is on our website."
"Karen just recently trained my daughter and I to be poll workers for Cadiz Township. She was very professional and took the time to explain the voting process. She was available during the time I worked the April election to make sure everything ran smoothly. I know during Covid she was the one responsible for going to vehicles to register voters. It was reassuring to see that we have people in charge who know the election laws and rules and make sure they are followed."
"Karen makes everyone feel important and that everyone's votes count. She explains voting in terms that you understand and goes the extra mile to make sure she will work around their schedule if they are first time voters to register to early voters, she once again will make sure she will change her work schedule for them to come to the town hall. She is very efficient and her friendly, her work ethics makes voting a fun event for all people."
Shelly Van Pembrook
"Shelly goes out of her way to make sure everyone has what they need to be able to vote."
Kayla Raatz
Nominated by Kristy DeChamps
"Kayla is so wonderful to work with. She and her team are exceptional at letting people help and knowing what skills each individual brings…The amount of instruction and organization is stellar! Anytime I go to the assisted living facilities I know I have everything I need and more to mitigate any issues that may arise. If there is ANY issue she is available for a phone call or conversation. Her super power is setting healthy boundaries by telling people the truth and law in the most straight forward way without being condescending. I just love working with her because she never makes me feel like I work for her."
Kathy Bay
Nominated by Carl Louis
"This town could not run without Kathy. She is so helpful with everything she does. She helps any senior who has any questions at all involving voting. This includes getting mail in and help with early voting. She also handles the disability voting booth during elections."
Lisa Glinski
Nominated by Terry Malcheski
"Lisa researched the benefits of implementing Badger Books and presented her findings to the town board. Due to her findings of her research, they allocated funds to purchase Badger Books, thereby making the election process more efficient and cost effective for voters and the town."
Kim Gauthier
Nominated by Dorothy Skye
"Our new Newbold Town Hall was inaugurated as a polling place on the April 2 Election Day. Kim Gauthier, our town clerk, had scrutinized the design of the parking lot, entrance and building layout to make sure it was accessible and efficient for all the town's voters, including those with disabilities. She had also encouraged the town board to purchase a separate, accessible, voting station so people with disabilities wouldn't feel pressure and embarrassment from other voters waiting to insert ballots in the voting machine. She made sure poll workers quickly responded to requests for curbside voting; signage clearly offered the curbside option. Inside, she arranged the polling place to provide easy movement of people using canes, walkers or wheel chairs. She made a conscious effort to place chairs where people might need to sit and rest. In her training of poll workers and by her own behavior, Kim emphasized courtesy, kindness and accommodation of special needs. Her leadership and personal example dignified the fact that every person who is eligible to vote can and should be able to do so easily."
Michelle Wallerius
Nominated by Kathleen Parizek
"Michelle is very helpful, making sure I have all the information for sending in my request for absentee ballots. She is very helpful when I attend Town Hall Meetings making sure I get all of the materials needed. She is also a notary public & will come to your home to sign papers. I feel very comfortable knowing that she is there."
Amy Flok
Nominated by Frank Christensen
"Amy has been a wonderful asset to our town! She always finds the answers to questions and is always ready to do what the community needs. She's a tireless worker, and we're SO lucky!"
Cindy Pritzl
Nominated by Larry Meverden
"Cindy holds this town together. She is concerned about every aspect of the public. She makes sure there is access for all voters, handicapped, elderly and impaired. She takes the extra time to make sure all their needs are accommodated for. If it takes special equipment or special instructions, she is right there to get it done and done right. She is very knowledgeable, caring and kind to all voters, no exceptions. She is a gem and a major asset to the community. She deserves recognition for all she does for the citizens of this town. Way to go Cindy!!!"
Lisa Kalata
Nominated by Chris Stoa
"Lisa does an amazing job as clerk, especially this most recent spring when she got a new polling place in Cottage Grove up and running. She also did an amazing job with the County Board Supervisor recount, which showed the exact same ballot count as election night- a testament to her amazing work!"
Holly Malaszuk
Nominated by Neil Boltik
"Holly is an up-front leader who isn’t afraid of a challenge! She has dived in and takes every opportunity to audit, identify and correct any issues at hand. She treats the public like family and is a great example to her co-workers. Her reputation within our community is growing and she encompasses the values and traditional can-do attitude of our small Village."
Candice Grunseth
Nominated by Valorie Kulesa
"Candice set up an envelope with a clip board for 2 workers to take outside to the voters’ vehicles so they can vote. She has sent out absentee ballots to elderly people who could not come in. Candice always has snacks available for voters and the workers. She is a great clerk."
Jane Snell
Nominated by Christine Feldy
"I've worked as an election inspector for 2 different clerks over 10+ years. Jane is a fantastic detail-oriented clerk. We often have curb-side voters at our village polls. Jane insisted the Village make a commitment to quality equipment for our ADA compliance. Our Village is growing quickly and there is a consistent need for additional polling locations. She did a phenomenal job during the Covid pandemic."
Lynnae Kolden
Nominated by Nancy Stencil
"Lynnae has a voting set up that supports all people to a path for ease of voting in a friendly atmosphere to also make people feel comfortable voting."
Amy Arnold
Nominated by Denise Brandl
"Amy is always available to answer questions or help."
Scott McDonald
Nominated by Elizabeth Caulfield
"Scott is genuinely interested in the safe secure voting rights of all citizens. I have worked and known him for years, and proud of the office he runs and the decisions he makes. We are in the best hands in Dane County."
