Latest news with #MilwaukeeElectionCommission
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Milwaukee ballot shortages, spring election saw historic turnout
The Brief At least seven Milwaukee polling sites ran out of ballots on Tuesday. Not every polling site gets the same number of ballots; every ward is different. The head of the city's election commission said they saw historic voter turnout. MILWAUKEE - At least seven Milwaukee polling sites ran out of ballots on Tuesday night amid historic voter turnout. What they're saying Tuesday's spring election was smooth sailing until around 6 p.m. Milwaukee voters called FOX6 News to say their polling site had run out of ballots, and there were a few reports of voters being turned away. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android "That absolutely should not happen," said Paulina Gutierrez. "Completely unacceptable – we sent a message to our chiefs to let them know." Gutierrez, the Milwaukee Election Commission executive director, gave an update from Cental Count on election night. She said at least seven polling locations across the city had a ballot shortage. "We've expanded our field staff. We've expanded our express vote machines. We've taken all the express vote paper that we have," she said. "These are the machines we use at early voting. They are en route to those locations, along with more ballots." Dig deeper Guiterrez explained it can be a slow process. The election commission uses specialized ballot printers, which can take up to an hour – plus, on Tuesday, it was rush hour. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News "We typically have 15 couriers. We expanded to another 10, so they are out there in the city," she said. Not every polling site gets the same number of ballots; every ward is different. In another update around 8 p.m. Tuesday, Gutierrez explained they typically order ballots based on a few things: previous elections, busy locations and registered voters. But this spring election was different. "I think it was just a historic election with unprecedented turnout," said Gutierrez. By the numbers Gutierrez said, for a typical spring election that is nonpartisan, the election commission sees 20% to 40% voter turnout. This year, that number was nearly 50%. What's next After every election, Gutierrez said the commission reflects on what went well and what could be worked on for the next. The Source Information in this report is from the Milwaukee Election Commission.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
2025 Wisconsin spring election; Milwaukee ballot shortages due to high turnout
The Brief Several Milwaukee voting sites saw ballot shortages due to a high voter turnout. The Milwaukee Election Commission said it worked diligently to replenish resources at seven locations. Polls closed across Wisconsin at 8 p.m. and the MEC reminded voters that anyone in line by then would still be allowed to vote. MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee election officials said there were ballot shortages at a handful of voting locations across the city due to high turnout. What we know The Milwaukee Election Commission said on Tuesday, April 1, the city was experiencing historic turnout for the spring election. But due to the unprecedented high turnout, the availability of ballots ran low at many locations. Seven locations ran out of them – and multiple couriers are en route to those locations. Fifty-Third Street School is one of the locations impacted and ran out of ballots around 6 p.m. New ballots arrived just over half an hour later. What they're saying "We have dozens of field staff working to get resources to polling locations during rush hour. We apologize to Milwaukeeans but proud to see the enthusiasm and turnout," the MEC said. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android What you can do Polls closed across Wisconsin at 8 p.m. and the MEC reminded voters that anyone in line by then would still be allowed to vote. Voters can call 414-286-VOTE with any concerns or questions. The Source The Milwaukee Election Commission provided information.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ballot shortages reported in Milwaukee during 'historic turnout in the spring election'
Milwaukee election officials are reporting ballot shortages at voting sites due to what they say is 'unprecedented high turnout' in Tuesday's spring election. Seven polling sites were totally out of ballots and election officials were working to replenish the supply. They are also checking with other sites that are low on ballots. Anyone in line by 8 p.m. will be able to vote, Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Paulina Gutiérrez said Tuesday evening. Officials said no voters would be turned away due to the shortages, and voters can call 414-286-VOTE with any concerns or questions. Election officials have increased field staff and sent ExpressVote machines that are used at early voting to those locations, along with additional ballots, she said. The ExpressVote machines allow voters to make their selections on a screen and print a ballot that can then be fed into the machine that tallies the votes. "The fact that this is historic turnout in the spring election, which has never occurred here in the city, feels great," she said. "We apologize for the delays that are happening. We ask you to remain patient. Please stay in line." Any voters who are told they cannot vote should alert election officials immediately, she said, adding that "absolutely should not happen." Gutiérrez said the Election Commission put in two additional orders of ballots about a week ago after seeing how busy early voting was. But the turnout on Tuesday meant the sites went through those additional ballots, forcing the Election Commission to print additional ballots. The printing can be a slow process, she said. On the ballot is the nationally watched state Supreme Court race in addition to the race for state superintendent. (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ballot shortages reported at some City of Milwaukee polling sites
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What time does voting end today in Wisconsin?
There's just a few hours left before polls close in Wisconsin's spring election. On the ballot are hotly contested Supreme Court and state superintendent races, along with a range of local races for county judges, school boards, city councils. If you haven't voted yet, here's how and where you can do so before polls close tonight. Polls will be open until 8 p.m. statewide. As long as you're in line at a voting location by 8 p.m., you'll be allowed to vote. If you haven't returned your absentee ballot yet, it's too late to mail it. However, there are still a few ways to make sure your municipal clerk receives it before 8 p.m. and your vote is counted. If you live in Milwaukee, you can return your ballot to one of the city's 14 drop boxes by 6 p.m. or bring it to the city's central count location at 1901 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. by 8 p.m. If you live elsewhere, you should call your clerk to ask about the best way to return your ballot. Some municipalities may ask you to bring it directly to the clerk's office or a polling place, while others may have their own drop boxes or central count locations. Your polling place is based on your address. Type in your address into "Find My Polling Place" at to find your polling location. Most election results will start rolling in several hours after polls close at 8 p.m. In Milwaukee, which typically reports results later in the evening due to absentee ballots, election results will not be fully tallied until after midnight for Tuesday's election, according to Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Paulina Gutiérrez. Live results will be posted to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's website as they become available. You can find live results here. Find more information here about how to vote in Wisconsin, including how to register at the polls if you're not yet a registered voter. Follow live Election Day coverage here. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How late are polls open in Wisconsin today?
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
When does voting end in Wisconsin on Tuesday?
There's just a few hours left before polls close in Wisconsin's spring election. On the ballot are hotly contested Supreme Court and state superintendent races, along with a range of local races for county judges, school boards, city councils. If you haven't voted yet, here's how and where you can do so before polls close tonight. Polls will be open until 8 p.m. statewide. As long as you're in line at a voting location by 8 p.m., you'll be allowed to vote. If you haven't returned your absentee ballot yet, it's too late to mail it. However, there are still a few ways to make sure your municipal clerk receives it before 8 p.m. and your vote is counted. If you live in Milwaukee, you can return your ballot to one of the city's 14 drop boxes by 6 p.m. or bring it to the city's central count location at 1901 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. by 8 p.m. If you live elsewhere, you should call your clerk to ask about the best way to return your ballot. Some municipalities may ask you to bring it directly to the clerk's office or a polling place, while others may have their own drop boxes or central count locations. Your polling place is based on your address. Type in your address into "Find My Polling Place" at to find your polling location. Most election results will start rolling in several hours after polls close at 8 p.m. In Milwaukee, which typically reports results later in the evening due to absentee ballots, election results will not be fully tallied until after midnight for Tuesday's election, according to Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Paulina Gutiérrez. Live results will be posted to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's website as they become available. You can find live results here. Find more information here about how to vote in Wisconsin, including how to register at the polls if you're not yet a registered voter. Follow live Election Day coverage here. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How late are polls open in Wisconsin today?
