Vast numbers of Wisconsinites have taken part in early voting in the Milwaukee area and throughout the state.
More than 1.2 million Wisconsin residents have cast absentee ballots since early voting began on Oct. 22. The state is a key battleground that will play a major role in determining the outcome of what is being projected as a nip-and-tuck race to elect the 47th president of the United States that pits two main challengers – Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, and former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee.
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A new Marquette Law School Poll survey of Wisconsin, the results of which were released on Wednesday, finds Harris supported by 50% of likely voters and Trump supported by 49%, in a head-to-head matchup. In the previous poll in late September, Harris received 52% and Trump 48% among likely voters.
Voters will also cast votes for U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, Wisconsin Assembly and Senate, as well as some local races and referendums. A constitutional amendment is also on the ballot.
In addition to playing a role in selecting the next U.S. president, a hotly contested race for U.S. Senate between incumbent Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, and Republican Eric Hovde has also garnered significant attention. The new Marquette polled shows that Baldwin is supported by 51% to Hovde’s 49% among likely voters.
Early in-person absentee voting continues through Sunday, Nov. 3, with hours and days varying by municipality. All absentee ballots must be received by local clerks by 8 p.m. on Election Day – Tuesday, Nov. 5.
As of Thursday morning, 1,349,337 absentee ballots had been requested in Wisconsin, with 1,224,779 ballots returned to clerks (including 705,326 through in-person voting, with the remainder sent by mail or collected at drop boxes), according to statistics compiled by the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
In 2016, voters cast 824,736 absentee ballots and about 1.9 million in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the city of Milwaukee, 79,222 absentee ballots had been cast as of Thursday morning, including 45,025 through early in-person voting, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
Voters in Milwaukee County had returned 180,796 absentee ballots as of Thursday morning, including 105,104 that were cast in person.
Early on, long lines due to high voter turnout bogged down the voting process. Technical issues slowed the process even more in Milwaukee and other locations during the first two days, mainly tied to delays in the printing of labels for ballots. By the third day of early voting last Friday, technical issues had been resolved but high volumes of voters continued to flock to polling places.
Early voting provides an opportunity to cast ballots in advance of Election Day. Wisconsin law doesn’t require voters to provide a reason to take part in early voting.
For the communities that offer early voting, locations, dates and times vary. Some municipalities do not offer it. Visit your local clerk’s website for the most up-to-date information.
Most municipalities in Southeastern Wisconsin have single polling spots for early voting, with the exception of Milwaukee, which offers multiple locations. They are:
- American Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave.
- Capitol Drive Voting Center, 6001 W. Capitol Drive
- Clinton Rose Senior Center, 3045 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive
- Good Hope Library, 7715 W. Good Hope Road
- Milwaukee Area Technical College, 700 W. State St.
- Mitchell Street Library, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St.
- Tippecanoe Library, 3912 S. Howell Ave.
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Zelazo Center, 2419 E. Kenwood Blvd.
- Washington Park Library, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd.
- Zeidler Municipal Building, 841 N. Broadway Ave.
The Milwaukee early voting locations are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Those casting ballots in early voting should bring a photo ID, and proof of residence if registering or re-register to vote.
For more information, go to: myvote.wi.gov.
