APPLETON, Wis. — A steady stream of people waited anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes to vote Tuesday in Appleton.
While some early voters will be out of town next week, others will be working and wanted to ensure their vote was cast and counted.
The lines to vote early were a little shorter Tuesday compared to Monday, but it was still a steady morning for Appleton residents Alexa Schmitz and Adam Van Hefty.
“We came here yesterday, and it was double the lines. So, we decided to come back today during the day,” Schmitz said. “It’s still pretty busy, but at least we’re getting it done.”
The married couple cast their votes as part of in-person absentee voting, which opened statewide Oct. 22.
“Everyone’s vote counts in this election. It did in the last one and it’s going to in this one,” Van Hefty said. “It’s important to get out and vote. It’s a privilege. I’m happy to do it and happy to be a part of it.”
Dave Cook said he opted to vote early to help shorten lines next week.
“Being retired I thought the right thing to do was to come out early and to free up time for those who are working on Election Day itself,” he said.
Early voters will have their voices heard next week, along with everyone else who has already voted or will vote on Election Day.
“The decision will be made. I don’t know that America is going to be happy either way with what is decided,” Ann-Marie Cooper, who voted early, said. “There’s also a little bit of anxiety of how people will react after elections, too.”
For Schmitz, voting brings the end of an intense campaign season in Wisconsin a little closer.
“It’s just kind of bearing with it until we stop all of the ads, the text messages,” she said. “Once everything is done with, I’ll be really happy. Then I’ll be really happy.”