Milwaukee election commissioners dismiss challenges filed against two mayoral candidates, add one more candidate to ballot

The City of Milwaukee Election commissioners on Monday dismissed challenges filed against two candidates running for mayor in the spring election: Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson and state Sen. Lena Taylor.

Commissioners Terrell Martin, Douglas Haag and Chair Patricia Ruiz-Cantu also found that enough signatures filed by Ieshuh Griffin were ultimately deemed valid to get her on the ballot. It appeared a week ago that she would fall short of the 1,500 signatures from Milwaukee residents needed to get on the ballot.

"We originally recommended six candidates for certification, but on Friday afternoon, we did receive a second corrective affidavit from Ms. Griffin," said Claire Woodall-Vogg, the Election Commission's executive director. "So I am recommending certification of all seven candidates."

On Jan. 6, Griffin submitted 1,564 signatures, then another 30 on Jan. 10. 

The election commission staff reviewed all nomination papers filed, and "where circumstances and time allow," consult maps, directories and other extrinsic evidence to determine correctness and sufficiency of the information on the papers, Woodall-Vogg said. The staff was able to verify 1,424 of Griffin's 1,594 signatures. 

Griffin ended up filing two corrective affidavits in the following days. 

"Ms. Griffin's affidavit is entitled to a presumption of validity, and although unusual, she has provided accurate corrections to the electors' addresses and her affidavit," Woodall-Vogg said. "All addresses have been verified to be within the city of Milwaukee." 

Ultimately, the city's Election Commission deemed 1,516 of Griffin's signatures valid, which cleared the threshold for ballot placement. 

The order in which candidates' names will appear on the ballot was also determined Monday and will be: Former Ald. Bob Donovan, Griffin, business owner Michael Sampson, Taylor, Milwaukee County Sheriff Earnell Lucas, Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic and Johnson. 

The primary will take place Feb. 15 and the general election April 5.

Griffin challenged the nomination papers filed by Johnson and Taylor, arguing the candidates should be removed from the ballot for leaving a "plethora" of nomination papers unattended at a fast food restaurant.

In a written response, Johnson's campaign denied the allegation and said the nomination papers Griffin posted on social media were not submitted to the Milwaukee Election Commission.

Taylor's campaign also denied the allegation, saying she had no knowledge of the forms being left unattended and that there is no evidence she violated election laws.

In a memo to the commissioners, Woodall-Vogg wrote that in neither case was Griffin's complaint sufficient to disqualify any nomination papers or signatures filed by the campaigns. 

The commission decided Monday that Griffin had failed to meet the burden of clear and convincing evidence, and dismissed her challneges. 

A complaint referencing Griffin's complaint was also filed by Milwaukee resident Brionna Bradford. It ultimately ended up being dismissed by the commission for lack of evidence. 

The candidates are running to fill the remaining two years of the term left open by the resignation of Mayor Tom Barrett last month. He resigned to become U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg. 

The race is the first without an incumbent in nearly two decades. 

Contact Alison Dirr at 414-224-2383 or adirr@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter @AlisonDirr.