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City Clerk debrief of the April 2, 2024 Spring Election
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Submitted by:
Steven Braatz, City Clerk
Zachary Kessler, Deputy City Clerk
Department:
City Clerk
A. By the Numbers
Totals
• Total Absentees Processed: 4,538
• Total In-Person Voters: 8,780
• Total Voters: 13,318
• Total turnout: 40.64%
Totals by Polling Sites - In-Person Voters
• Wauwatosa City Hall - Lower Civic Center (Wards 1, 2A, 2B, 3): 1,087
• St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church (Wards 4A, 4B, 6B): 548
• Trinity Episcopal Church (Wards 5, 6A): 572
• St. Camillus (Wards 7, 8, 9A, 9B): 1,054
• Honey Creek Church (Wards 10, 11, 12A, 12B): 1,273
• Wauwatosa Library - Firefly Room (Wards 13, 14, 15): 1,169
• Mt. Mary University (Wards 16, 17, 18): 1,175
• Mt. Zion Lutheran Church (Wards 19, 20A, 20B, 21A, 21B): 822
• Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church (Wards 22, 23, 24A, 24B): 1,080
Absentees
• Total absentees mailed: 3,276
• Total absentees emailed: 39
• Total absentees Special Voting Deputy: 178
• Total absentees online: 1
• Total IPAV: 1,840
• Total Absentees Issued: 5,334
• Total absentees returned and counted: 4,538
• Total absentees rejected: 5
• Total absentees voter refused: 31
• Total absentees returned after the deadline (as of 4-15-24): 86
• Total absentees returned (in some manner): 4,660
• Percentage returned vs. issued: 87.4%
• Percentage returned and counted vs. rejected: 0.01%
Registration Applications
• Late Registrations (from March 14-29): 61
• Election Day Registrations: 426
B. New Polling Sites
St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church
The space was great for this turnout. Staff and the Chief Inspectors have ideas for updates to the layout for the upcoming elections. Church staff was extremely accommodating. Engineering used nearby traffic cams to observe traffic flow, and have provided ideas to reduce the amount of westbound motorists entering the east entrance. Apparently, parents from nearby schools who commonly use that parking lot to pick up students had used it between 3 and 3:30 PM. We will communicate this to the School District for the November election.
Trinity Episcopal Church
The Chief Inspector reported that voters were providing positive feedback about the site, including larger voting space vs. Hart Park, easier access with one level about 25 steps from the parking space, short curb ramp into the building with an automatic door, and it was a significant improvement for voters with mobility challenges. The poll workers also liked the space, including large tables, easy access to a fully equipped kitchen, easy bathroom access.
St. Camillus
St. Camillus staff were excellent to work with. There is ample space at this facility to accommodate elections of all sizes. Additional outdoor signage at this location will likely be necessary during future elections.
Honey Creek Church
Church staff was excellent to work with. This facility has several rooms that can be utilized, as well as multiple options for the layout. Staff did receive some concerns about insufficient parking for the November election, as well as general complaints about voting taking place in a church.
Mt. Mary University
University staff were extremely accommodating and excellent to work with. There is plenty of space for both voting and line management activities. Poll workers enjoyed the friendliness of university staff, proximity to the parking lot, and easily accessible restrooms and break areas. Poll workers reported a few complaints about the location of the facility (City of Milwaukee), but also heard many compliments about the quality of the facility as compared to previous polling locations used for this district. Poll workers reported only 5 City of Milwaukee voters at the incorrect polling place. One challenge is the mix of student and voter parking on Election Days. University staff did send an email to students requesting they park in the back of lot. However, the degree to which students complied with that request was low at best.
C. Remaining 2024 Elections
• Partisan Primary - Tuesday, August 13
• General Election (Presidential Election) - Tuesday, November 5