Mark Belling has some good advice in these fluid times.
The time to vote is RIGHT NOW. The Wisconsin spring election is April 7 which, based on the projections of the experts, is right in the middle of the virus blasting this country. Voting will be the last thing on people’s minds and many may be under quarantine. Standing in line for an hour with crowds of people will be the last thing anybody wants to do.
The good news is you don’t have to do that. In almost all municipalities in the state, early voting is underway right now. It’s very simple. You go to your city hall or village hall (or whatever site is being used), you fill out your ballot and you’re done. The virus will only stop from voting those who don’t vote now. If we can plan enough to buy 873 rolls of Charmin, we can certainly take five minutes to vote.
Even for those municipalities that won’t start early voting until next week (like mine, Oak Creek, which also is limiting the hours compared to a normal election), one can vote absentee by mail. The deadline to request a ballot online (at myvote.wi.gov) is today, while a request via mail must be at your municipal clerk’s office by April 2 (the Thursday before the election).
I voted today in West Bend.
steve,
Thanks for your comment. It inspired me to put this out:
Message from the Village President:
Today is the deadline to REGISTER FOR an absentee ballot for April 7th Spring Election by mail. I urge all Village of Kewaskum constituents to vote absentee, preferably by mail, to limit interaction with poll workers and village staff for this election. I, easily, this AM, requested my absentee ballot at myvote.wi.gov. It took 60 seconds, including scanning and uploading a picture of my drivers license. I suggest snapping a pick of a Valid photo ID, then go to the site. If you are registered to vote,it is super easy. If you are not registered, you can register to vote on the site as well. The April 7 election will go ahead, but I urge all citizens of any municipality reading this to vote through the mail by going to site above. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE BY ABSENTEE. (March 18,2020). YOU CAN REQUEST THE BALLOT BY APRIL 2ND AT SITE, IF REGISTERED AFTER TODAY. We are also giving our dedicated poll workers, especially those who are in the most at risk age group for COVID-19 to “opt out” of this election for their safety. We hope to have a full slate of poll workers available, but we may have less staff than normal. By voting absentee, you can help us with this concern. Thank You for your help on this.
Kevin Scheunemann, Village President
Update: Our Election clerk asked me to add these bullet points:
The WEC strongly recommends that anyone planning to vote in the April 7 Spring Election and Presidential Preference Primary request to have an absentee ballot mailed to them.
· You must be registered to vote to request an absentee ballot.
· Wednesday, March 18, is the deadline to register to vote online or by mail.
· Starting March 19, registration is still available in person at your municipal clerk’s office until the Friday before the election and on Election Day at the polling place.
· Voters should request an absentee ballot as soon as possible for April 7. The deadline is April 2, but do not wait!
· Request your absentee ballot online at https://myvote.wi.gov
Update: Our Election clerk asked me to add these bullet points:
The WEC strongly recommends that anyone planning to vote in the April 7 Spring Election and Presidential Preference Primary request to have an absentee ballot mailed to them.
· You must be registered to vote to request an absentee ballot.
· Wednesday, March 18, is the deadline to register to vote online or by mail.
· Starting March 19, registration is still available in person at your municipal clerk’s office until the Friday before the election and on Election Day at the polling place.
· Voters should request an absentee ballot as soon as possible for April 7. The deadline is April 2, but do not wait!
· Request your absentee ballot online at https://myvote.wi.gov