Early voting line in Milwaukee on Saturday, November 2.
MILWAUKEE – More than a million people have already cast ballots in Wisconsin — and the early voting trend continued in Milwaukee on Saturday.
Sunday is the last day to vote early. And whether voting takes place now or on Election Day, the Milwaukee Election Commission is asking people to be patient.
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“You come here on Tuesday and the line goes around the block five times,” said voter Carla Jefferson.
“Do it, get there early, there’s no telling how long the lines will look on Election Day,” said voter Kiara Perry.
Jefferson told FOX6 News she thought the process would be easier in the city Milwaukee during early voting on Saturday.
“I thought I was avoiding a line, but as you can see, that’s not the case,” she said.
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The city’s election commission said the long lines are related to high turnout.
“It took about an hour to get in and out, and they were very nice and efficient,” said voter Sharie Garcia. “I’ve only been a citizen since 2020, so this is my second time voting in a presidential election.”
“It really makes it worth it to stand out here in the cold,” said Greg Garcia, Sharie’s son, who is voting in a presidential election for the first time.
Based on this year’s trends, the Milwaukee Election Commission said it expects more than 100,000 ballots by Election Day. More than 1.3 million ballots have already been cast across the state.
“As early voting has become more and more important, and more and more popular, I think, I jumped on that bandwagon,” said voter Michelle Shikoski.
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“We can’t just sit on the fence and say, somebody else has to do that, we just have to take that step and do it ourselves,” Jefferson said.
Five polling places remain open in Milwaukee on Sunday. Otherwise, potential voters can still register and vote in person on Tuesday, November 5. Information about times and locations is available available on the city’s website.
Forward Latino Breakfast
The national nonprofit Forward Latino held an “Early Voting Breakfast” on the city’s South Side on Saturday.
The crowd was encouraged to discuss the importance of early voting and grab some food outside the El Rey Family Market, near 51st and Oklahoma, before crossing the street to cast their votes in person at Serbian Hall.
Early voting in the Serbian Hall on Saturday, November 2.
“Our voice is our voice. You can’t complain about the way things are going if you don’t participate in the system,” said Darryl Morin, national president of Forward Latino. “The great thing about our democracy is that everyone’s vote counts equally, so we want everyone to come out, celebrate democracy and vote with us.”
The event was organized in collaboration with other social organizations. It lasted from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
‘Dialogue across differences’
With the November 5 elections now in three days, community members from across the Southeast Wisconsin collected at Marquette University for “Dialogue Across Differences for a Safe Election Season.”
Two facilitators introduced a model for constructive dialogue called ‘the ABC’. The event was intended to explore different views on “strengthening our democratic republic, including our electoral processes.”
“Dialogue on differences for a safe election season”
“Keep in mind that after the results are known, they will affect people in different ways,” said Joe Bubman, executive director of Urban Rural Action. “Recognize that the way you feel may not be the way other people feel.”
Urban Rural Action organized the free, interactive event with funding from a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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