The zeal of the electorate in Milwaukee is palpable as the final days of early voting see long lines and high turnout. According to FOX6 News, over a million Wisconsinites have already cast their ballots. The Milwaukee Election Commission is preparing to swiftly process an anticipated surge beyond 100,000 ballots by Election Day. "You get here on Tuesday and the line is going around the block five times," said voter Carla Jefferson.
A sense of civic commitment is strongly evident, as Milwaukeeans rush to join the lines before polls close. "I think you have an obligation to vote when you’re in a swing state. It’s so important, especially when you live in a purple state, like us," Kris Schreiber told TMJ4. Voters like Jefferson also note the increased convenience of early voting, even as they encounter unexpected lines.
The nationwide embrace of early voting is reflected in data showing an almost 47% turnout rate of the 2020 electorate as of yesterday, before the election. As reported by The Washington Post, states like Georgia, Arizona, and North Carolina have seen eligible voters turn out in droves, with some surpassing their early voting numbers from 2020 entirely.
Community spirit in Milwaukee is strong; Abe Patrick, who had voted a month ago, brought chairs for seniors to sit on while they waited in line, an act she views as a response to the legacies of disenfranchisement. "I came out because I know the needs. There was so many young, black, young people out here. It was just awesome because I remember my grandmother couldn't vote, and ever since I could start voting, I vote," Patrick told TMJ4. This year's early voting turnout is a testament to a community committed to make their voices heard, undeterred by weather or wait times.
Early voting in Milwaukee concluded today, but five polling places continued to welcome voters, while the rest of the sites closed yesterday. Those who did not cast their ballots early can still register and vote in person on Election Day, November 5. The Milwaukee Election Commission encourages voters to be patient, whether they choose to cast their ballot early or on the official day, as lines may be long and winding. For more information, locations and times are available on the city's website.
