2024 Election: Milwaukee early voting lines continue Saturday

MILWAUKEE – More than a million people have already voted in Wisconsin, and early voting continued its trend in Milwaukee on Saturday.

Sunday is the last day for early voting. And whether you’re voting then or on Election Day, the Milwaukee Board of Elections asks people to be patient.

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“You come here on a Tuesday and the line goes around the block five times,” voter Carla Jefferson said.

“Get it done, get it done early, there’s no telling how long the lines will be on Election Day,” said voter Kiara Perry.

Jefferson told FOX6 News she thinks the process will be easier during early voting Saturday in the city of Milwaukee.

“I thought I was avoiding the line, but as you can see, I didn’t,” she said.

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The city’s Board of Elections said the long lines were due to high turnout.

“It took about an hour to get in and out and they were really nice and efficient,” voter Shari Garcia said. “I’ve only been a citizen since 2020, so this is my second time voting in a presidential election.”

“It’s really worth it to stand out here in the cold,” said Greg Garcia, Shari’s son, who is running for president for the first time.

Given this year’s trends, the Milwaukee Board of Elections said it expects more than 100,000 ballots by Election Day. More than 1.3 million ballots have already been cast statewide.

“As early voting becomes more and more popular, I think I’ve jumped on that bandwagon,” voter Michelle Shikoski said.

Election 2024: A Guide to Voting in Wisconsin, What You Need to Know

“We can’t just sit on the fence and say somebody else has to do it, we just have to take that step and do it ourselves,” Jefferson said.

Five polling places will remain open in Milwaukee on Sunday. Otherwise, potential voters will still be able to register and vote in person on Tuesday, November 5th. Information about times and locations can be found on the city’s website.

Forward Latin American Breakfast

National nonprofit group Forward Latino held an “Early Voting Breakfast” on the city’s South Side on Saturday.

The public was invited to discuss the importance of early voting and grab some food near the El Rey Family Market near 51st and Oklahoma before heading across the street to vote absentee in person at Serb Hall.

“Our voice is our voice. You can’t complain about how things are going if you’re not part of the system,” said Darryl Morin, national president of Forward Latino. “What’s great about our democracy is that everyone’s votes count equally, so we want everyone to come out and celebrate democracy and vote with us.”

The event was held in partnership with other public organizations. He worked from 9:30 to 11:00.

“Dialogue across differences”

With three days remaining until the Nov. 5 election, community members from across southeastern Wisconsin gathered at Marquette University for “Dialogue Across Differences for a Safe Election Season.”

Two coordinators presented a model of constructive dialogue called “ABC”. The purpose of the event was to explore different perspectives on “strengthening our democratic republic, including our electoral processes.”

“Remember, once the results come out, they will hit people differently,” said Joe Babman, executive director of Urban Rural Action. “Recognize that what you feel may be different from what other people feel.”

Urban Rural Action hosted the free interactive event with funding from a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.