MILWAUKEE — Early in-person voting kicked off Tuesday for Wisconsin voters. Officially known as in-person absentee voting, it allows voters to cast and absentee ballot at polling locations during the two-weeks before the Nov. 5 election.
There are 10 early voting locations scattered throughout the City of Milwaukee, including the Zeidler Municipal Building downtown. A line of voters formed at that location before doors opened at 9 a.m.
Spectrum News talked to Susan Hansen as she waited in line to cast her ballot in what she is calling a “pivotal election.”
“I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to vote today,” Hansen said. “Our country and future depends on it. I wanted to be here to vote the first opportunity I could.”
Hansen, who said she typically votes early in elections, made sure to arrive early to get in line. She was pleasantly surprised with turnout on the first day of early in-person voting.
“I usually come and there is a handful of people if I vote early,” she said. “This line is very encouraging for the passion of this election.”
Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Paulina Gutierrez said she hopes the enthusiasm to vote continues as we inch closer to Nov. 5.
“This is exciting,” Gutierrez said. “General elections are our busiest elections, so we do prepare as much as we can. This is an exciting time to see this much turnout. We encourage people to vote in every election, not just the general election, but we love when we see voters out.”
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson stopped by the Zeidler Building to thank voters for doing their civic duty. He plans to vote early as well and said lines at polling locations are a good sign.
“To see the long lines it shows how engaged people in Milwaukee are,” Johnson said. “I want every single voter in Milwaukee to be engaged in this process. To let their voices be heard. There is so much on the line in this presidential election. There is so much on the line in the Senate race. Control of the U.S. Senate will be decided in Wisconsin. I have said it before, whoever wins in Wisconsin, will win the White House.”