By Claire Woodall-Vogg
Executive Director of the Milwaukee Election Commission
Hamilton: An American Musical taught us the importance of being in “the room where it happens.” The room where decisions are made. Where meaningful change occurs. The best way to ensure you have a voice in the room where it happens is to vote. And it’s my pledge to you that your vote will count.
There’s a lot in the news that has voters feeling anxious this election. False rumors about the legitimacy of mailed-in ballots, the threat of foreign meddling, and the health concerns related to COVID-19 have made for a unique election. The Milwaukee Election Commission has been hard at work to ensure your vote will be safe, secure, and counted.
First things first, to vote you must be registered! You can check to see if you are registered by going to the MyVote website at https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/. Registration will be available at some of our early polling sites until Oct. 30 and you can also register on Election Day, Nov. 3.
Three ways to get inside the room
Voting in Milwaukee is as easy as 1-2-3. The City of Milwaukee is offering three ways to safely and effectively vote in the 2020 election: absentee, early in-person, and voting in person on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2020.
Absentee voting
If you choose to apply for an absentee ballot, one of the best parts of this election is you get to choose the room where your vote happens. That room can be your kitchen, office, or any other room you choose. In Wisconsin, voters don’t need a reason or excuse to vote by absentee ballot. But you do have to be registered, have to request a ballot, and have to show a valid photo ID. Time is running short, so apply for your absentee ballot TODAY!
Once you receive your absentee ballot, it’s time to cast your vote. Follow the included directions to complete your ballot, making sure to sign the envelope, have a witness sign the envelope, and ensure your address is accurate.
Voting by mail is COMPLETELY SECURE. But please, make sure you put your completed ballot in the mail no later than Oct. 26 to ensure we receive it by Election Day.
You can also drop your completed ballot off at one of 15 drop-off sites across the city of Milwaukee. These drop boxes are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Your ballot must be dropped off by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted!
Early in-person voting
If you love the feeling of casting your ballot in person, you can avoid long lines and crowds by voting early in-person. Early voting is now open and continues through Sunday, Nov. 1. There are 15 early polling sites across the city. You must present a valid photo ID and wear a face mask to vote.
Election day voting
Finally, you can choose to vote in person on Election Day, which is Nov. 3. To vote, you must present an acceptable photo ID, the most common of which are a Wisconsin driver’s license, ID card, or U.S. passport. In order to stay safe from COVID-19, you will be required to wear a face mask and maintain a six-foot distance from other voters and poll workers. We encourage you to wash your hands or use alcohol-based sanitizer and to avoid touching your face. Our trained poll workers will disinfect the polling place to ensure compliance with safety and health requirements.
So, want to have a voice in the room where it happens? Vote! In Milwaukee, we pledge to ensure your vote is safe, secure, and counted because VOTES COUNT IN THE 414! Visit Milwaukee.gov/414votes for details.