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City Clerk debrief of the August 13, 2024 Partisan Primary and updates on upcoming election activities in advance of the November 5, 2024 General Election
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Submitted by:
Steven Braatz. City Clerk
Zachary Kessler, Deputy City Clerk
Department:
City Clerk’s Office
A. August 13, 2024 Partisan Primary - By the Numbers
Totals
• Total Absentees Processed: 5,026
• Total At-polls Voters: 9,252
• Total Voters: 14,278
• Total turnout: 43.20%
Totals by Polling Sites - In-Person Voters
• Wauwatosa City Hall - Lower Civic Center (Wards 1, 2A, 2B, 3): 1,102
• St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church (Wards 4A, 4B, 6B): 611
• Trinity Episcopal Church (Wards 5, 6A): 603
• St. Camillus (Wards 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9): 1,099
• Honey Creek Church (Wards 10, 11, 12A, 12B): 1,314
• Wauwatosa Library - Firefly Room (Wards 13, 14, 15): 1,299
• Mt. Mary University (Wards 16, 17, 18): 1,252
• Mt. Zion Lutheran Church (Wards 19, 20A, 20B, 21A, 21B): 909
• Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church (Wards 22, 23, 24A, 24B): 1,063
B. November 5, 2024 General Election Information
Absentee Information
Mailed absentee ballots were sent out starting Wednesday, September 18. Emailed ballots were sent out starting Monday, September 16.
• Numbers as of 9-20-24
• Total Absentees Mailed: 5,571
• Total Absentees Emailed: 132
• Total Absentees Online: 2
• Total Absentees Mailed/Emailed/Online: 5,705
Applying for absentee ballots to be mailed
The easiest way to apply for an absentee ballot to be mailed to you is thru <https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/>. The other option is to mail, email or fax an application. Please note that prior to October 22, absentee voters are not allowed to personally turn in an application at the Clerk’s Office.
Options for Returning Ballots
• Via mail. Return postage is applied to almost every return envelope sent out from the Clerk’s Office.
• In person at the Clerk’s Office. Please note, only the voter can return his/her ballot to the Clerk's Office. Exceptions are provided for voters who have a disability.
• Absentee ballot drop box located in the southwest section of the sidewalk at Wauwatosa City Hall, 7725 W. North Ave.
o The absentee ballot drop box is the only box that will accept absentee ballots. Please do not place ballots in the City Hall payment drop box or the Library book deposit box.
o Only Wauwatosa ballots will be accepted. If you are not a Wauwatosa Voter, please contact your municipality to find out how to return your ballot.
o The absentee ballot drop box will close at 7:30 PM on Election Day.
• Absentee ballots must be returned to the City Clerk by 8:00 PM on Election Day. However, the Clerk’s Office asks absentee voters to turn them in before Election Day, so we have time to prepare them for Election Day processing.
• On Election Day, voters who need to turn in their absentee ballot should return it to the City Clerk’s Office, not the polling site.
In-Person Absentee Voting Dates
In-person Absentee Voting (commonly known as “Early Voting”) will take place in the City Hall Lower Center. Dates/times are as follows:
• October 22-25: 8 am-4:30 pm
• October 26: 9 am-2 pm
• October 28-31: 8 am-6 pm
• November 1: 8 am-5:00 pm
Third Party Group Mailings
During large elections, there are a number of groups out there that send voter registration and absentee applications to voters. Most of the time, the applications contain my name as City Clerk. Please know that unless specifically requested from the voter, applications are not being sent from the Clerk’s Office. If voters are unsure if they are registered to vote or if they currently have an absentee request on file, they can visit <https://myvote.wi.gov/> to find their status.
Polling Places
Several polling places changed at the beginning of the year. Notices were sent out to all affected residential properties prior to the April election. However, many people did not vote in that election, and likely dismissed those postcards. The easiest way to find your polling site is to visit <https://myvote.wi.gov/>.
Election Preparedness
Most polling sites will be equipped with at least one extra Badger Book. We are actively working with all Chief Inspectors on polling site layouts that will help with line management. Each polling site will also be staffed by a sufficient amount of election inspectors.
We have developed robust training for the poll workers so they are fully informed of election laws and the various roles they perform.
To ensure the safety of the absentee ballot drop box, as well as the ballots within, it is under video surveillance, in a well-lit and safe location at City hall, and accessible to all voters. Procedures have been developed to ensure the safe and secure removal of ballots and transport back to the office.
All absentee ballots (mailed, drop box, in-person drop off, and In-Person Absentee Voting) are stored in a safe, fireproof location until Election Day, when they are processed.
The Clerk’s Office actively works with local, County, and national law enforcement, local and State information technology partners, the City Fire Department, Communications, Attorney, Public Works, and others to ensure a safe and secure voting experience on Election Day, as well as the weeks and days leading up to the election. We work together to understand everyone’s role in contingency planning to mitigate any risks and respond to any emergencies.
Other Reminders and Information
1. The easiest way to register to vote or update your name/address is to visit <https://myvote.wi.gov/>. To fully register on MyVote, your name and address must be up to date with the DMV (you can update your address on the DMV website for free). This can be done through October 16. Starting October 17, the only options for registering to vote is in the City Clerk’s Office by 5:00 PM on November 1 or at the polls on Election Day.
2. In order to vote in the City of Wauwatosa, the voter must establish their residence by October 8, with limited exceptions for voters who moved from another State AND their previous State’s rules don’t allow them to vote there.
3. Voters should be patient when going to the polling site. This is a large election, and there will be long lines periodically.
4. Due to the heavy volume of voters as well as space and logistical concerns, all requests for bake sales or other similar activities at polling sites will be denied.
5. Please be respectful to the poll workers. Thank them for taking time out of their schedule and lives to train for and work the election.
6. Mailed absentee requests for most voters ends on October 31. Pre-election voter registration ends at 5:00 PM on November 1. There is no in-person absentee voting or voter registrations on Monday, November 4. The next opportunity to register to vote is on Election Day.
7. On Election Day, polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.