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December 23, 2024

IBEW and Other Unions Borrowed County Voting Machines, Ballots, Absentee Envelopes –

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen

On May 16, 2023

Madison Co., Ill. (ECWd) –

While Debbie Ming-Mendosa was the Madison County Clerk, she permitted the IBEW Union Local 749, Carpenters Local 664, and Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 553 to use public funds, property, and credit for nonpublic purposes, which appears to be in direct conflict with Article VIII, Section 1(a) of the Illinois Constitution.

This information should be turned over to the Madison County State’s Attorney and State Board of Elections for possible prosecution.

Receipts provided under the Freedom of Information Act:

  • January 2022, the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 553 tendered a check to the county clerk for “election programming for union election” and “420 ballots plus test deck”
  • July 2022, Carpenters Local 664 tendered a check to the county clerk for “election programming for union election” and “300 ballots” and “12 test ballots”
  • July 2022, IBEW Union Local 749 tendered a check to the county clerk for “election programming for union election” and “500 ballots” and “150 absentee envelopes 3 sizes 50 each”

It is our understanding the actual voting machines were also used, removed from the clerk’s office for the union vote and returned at a later date.

County funds, property, and credit were used for a nonpublic purpose, which gives the appearance of voting machines being left unsecured.

This is only one year’s worth of information, we will FOIA ten years’ worth and provide an update.

*Madison County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler submitted the FOIA request and provided these documents to us for this article.

Ballot Madison Co FOIA

 

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7 Comments
  • C
    Posted at 19:04h, 19 May

    This is good investigative reporting, but to me, it makes little sense to have the information turned over to the Madison County State’s Attorney for investigation. Since the Madison County State’s Attorney is also the Defense Attorney for all current and former County Public Officials “by Statute” in defense of Madison County. Therefore it appears that involving the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office beyond anything other than a referral to another higher Office/ Official would taint this case, due to the Conflict of Interest created by the Statute,

  • Not a sheep
    Posted at 19:19h, 17 May

    You all are idiots. You could not care less that chairman prenxzler had his cronies searching police, attorney and judge emails but think renting voting machines is outrageous. A bunch of sheep in the top….

    • John Kraft & Kirk Allen
      Posted at 21:37h, 17 May

      Do you have proof of what you just alleged? I don’t think so.

  • Nicholas Cohan
    Posted at 07:11h, 17 May

    I have heard so much over the years about Mendoza and she ran her office at the county this does not surprise me
    Please investigate her actions

  • GW WON
    Posted at 18:43h, 16 May

    Debbie Ming Mendoza, Madison County’s previous Clerk, has some explaining to do. Her explanation needs to be provided to the Madison County States Attorney, Springfield Board of Elections, and the Madison County County Board. This matter cries out for transparency so rarely exhibited by elected officials in Madison County. It would certainly seem to be to an investigation that could be opened and closed quickly, so that voter confidence can be restored . What a nightmare.

  • Kathiann
    Posted at 13:36h, 16 May

    Omgosh…what in the world were they thinking? Taxpayers of Madison County (and I am one) should be outraged.

  • Dave
    Posted at 09:45h, 16 May

    Wish I could say I was surprised…. pure corruption

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