MILWAUKEE — The deadline is Friday, November 2nd for in-person early voting ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, October 6th. There has been such a large turnout, some polling places have extended their hours or have stayed open on the weekends to accommodate voters. Many are projecting a record number of voters to head to the polls next Tuesday.
Nearly 4,000 people a day are going through Milwaukee’s downtown polling place, sealing either absentee ballots. The average wait time is 20 minutes.
The Wisconsin Legislature reduced the window for absentee voting, so the city of Milwaukee decided to extend early voting hours leading up to Friday’s deadline. Milwaukee’s downtown polling place is open from 8:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“It means people aren’t pressed into a small period of time that would usually result in long lines,” City of Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Neil Albrecht said.
In Bayside, Village Manager Andy Pederson says there has been a record number of absentee ballots come through the polling place in the village. Officials are extending hours for early voting and will now be open until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 5:00 p.m. Friday.
Again — Friday is the deadline for early voting in Wisconsin. After Friday, voters will have to wait to hit the polls on Election Day. Registration can be done at the polling place on Election Day.