MILWAUKEE — The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) reported that early in-person absentee voting is up nearly 40%, compared to the 2020 election.

On Sunday, election officials at the Zeidler Municipal Building in Milwaukee said the line of early voters remained steady throughout the day. At one point, voters said they got to watch the Green Bay Packers game, while being handed a slice of pizza. 

Madelyn Coleman is one of the many people who took advantage of early voting. This is the first presidential election she’s able to vote in.

“I’ve never voted for anything before,” Coleman said. “I feel important. It makes me feel like I’m doing my civic duty.” 

She encouraged other young voters to exercise their right to vote in this election, like she did.

“It’s a completely different world with new tech and everything,” Coleman said. “I think it’s really important to get different perspectives.”

Ebonie Durham also voted early Sunday.

“It’s a very tight election,” Durham said. “I want to make sure our vote is counted. I don’t want to wait until the last minute. I always come early to get it done on the weekend, so I don’t have to worry about going after work.” 

She waited in line for 30 minutes and said she felt a sense of hope after casting her vote. 

“Presidential elections are big and I’m looking forward to a change,” Durham said. “We need some change for the middle class. We’re always left behind. That trickle down is not trickling down.”

Darwin Sanders agreed. 

“This is one of the most important voting situations that we will be in,” Sanders said. “I’m so happy to have had the chance to vote early and vote for who I really want.” 

For more information about polling locations statewide and to see a sample ballot, click here.