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October 10, 2008
NEWS FROM THE MAYOR
Dear Friends,
With only 25 days to go before Election Day, November 4th, the City of Milwaukee is projecting that as many as 300,000 Milwaukee residents will vote.
To accomodate these large numbers and to ensure every eligible resident has a positive voting experience, the City of Milwaukee Election Commission has launched new and expanded initiatives that provide easy access to voting, including in-person absentee voting which began this week.
The Election Commission's website (www.milwaukee.gov/election) provides all the forms and instructions necessary to confirm your status as a registered voter, determine your voting site and receive other election information.
For voters, the Election Commission offers the following recommendations:
- Determine if you are qualified to vote in Wisconsin for the Presidential Election. To qualify to vote in the State of Wisconsin, you must be 18 years of age or older on November 4, 2008; you must be a United States Citizen; you must be a permanent resident of the State and have resided at your voter registration address for at least 10 days prior to the election. You cannot be serving probation or parole for a felony conviction. If you have completed probation or parole, your voting rights are restored.
- Register to vote before the election. Voter registration is necessary if you are first-time voter, a new resident in Milwaukee, or if your address and/or name has changed since you last registerd to vote. While Wisconsin offers Election Day registration, registering before the election is often easier and reduces wait time on Election Day. Until October 15, voter registration is available at any Milwaukee Public Library or by mailing in the voter registration application from the Election Commission's website (www.milwaukee.gov/election). Voter registration is also available at the Zeidler Municipal Building from October 7 through November 3.
- Confirm your status as a registered voter. If you have not voted in an election for the last four years, or if you are unsure if you have moved or changed your name since you last registered to vote, the Election Commission encourages confirming your voter registration status. This can be done by accessing the Election Commission's website (www.milwaukee.gov/election) and clicking the link to the Wisconsin Voter Public Access (VPA) website or by contacting the Election Commission at 414-286-3491.
- Vote an absentee ballot. Voting absentee is a quick and easy way to cast a ballot in any election. You may request an absentee ballot for the upcoming election by completing the absentee ballot application available on the Election Commission's website (www.milwaukee.gov/election) or by sending a letter with your name, voter registration address, and birth date to the Election Commission, 200 East Wells Street, Room 501, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
- Cast your ballot at In-Person Absentee Voting. Beginning October 7 and through November 3, the Election Commission will be offering in-person absentee voting at the Zeidler Municipal Builsing. In-Person Absentee Voting allows you to complete an absentee ballot without relying on the mail. Registered voters should enter the Municipal Building from the 830 North Market Street entrance ( at Kilbournce Ave. and Market St). Individuals needing to complete voter registration should enter at 841 N. Broadway (at Kilbourn Ave and Broadway Ave).
Hours of operation for In-person Absentee Balloting are:
From Tuesday, October 7 until Friday, October 10: 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m; Saturday, October 11: 8:30 a.m. until noon.
Beginning Monday, October 13: Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
If you are voting at your polling site on Election Day, the Election Commission offers the following recommendations:
- Confirm your voting site. In order to increase accessibility, there have been several changes to voting sites since the last Presidential Election. To determin or confirm your voting site, visit the Election Commission's web site (www.milwaukee.gov/election) and click the link "Where Do I Vote?" or contact the Election Commission at 414-286-3491.
- Avoid voting during peak periods. If your schedule is flexible, avoid voting during peak voting periods: between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., and between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
- Be prepared to provide a proof of residence identification if you are registering to vote on Election Day. Registered voters are NOT required to show identification on Election day. However, if you are registering to vote on Election Day or you previously registered to vote by mail, you will need to provide a "proof of residence", a document or identification card that includes your name and address. A piece of mail is not sufficient. A list of acceptable "proof of residence" documents are located on the Election Commission website (www.milwaukee.gov/elections).
Lastly, I'd like to remind you that the Election Commission is still recruiting and training election workers to work the polls on Election Day. You can work a full day (from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.) or a half-day shift (6:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.). This is important public service and I encourage those with the schedule flexibility to join us on Election Day to contact the Election Commission at 414-286-3491.
The dissemination of accurate information and the immediate availability of resources are keys to the success of voter participation in any election. I believe the City of Milwaukee is showing national leadership by encouraging Milwaukee residents to exercise their fundamental right to vote in this important election.
Sincerely,
Mayor, City of Milwaukee
Visit my website at: http://www.city.milwaukee.gov/mayor
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