Votes Count in the 414: Fact-based campaign created to inform Milwaukee residents about election process

The City of Milwaukee’s Election Commission recently launched the “Votes Count in the 414” education and awareness campaign to inform Milwaukee voters how to safely and effectively vote in the upcoming Presidential Election.

The Commission also gave information on the lifecycle of a ballot, and explained about the many steps the Commission was taking to ensure an efficient and fair election takes place in Milwaukee. Those details were posted to the voter information website MyVote.wi.gov

“Voting in Milwaukee is as easy as 1-2-3,” said Claire Woodall-Vogg, executive director of the City of Milwaukee Election Commission. We are offering three ways for residents to vote in this monumental election – by absentee ballot, in-person early voting, or in-person voting on Election Day. Our goal is to assure Milwaukeeans that their vote will be counted.”

The first way voters can vote is by absentee ballot. In Wisconsin, voters do not need a reason or an excuse to vote by absentee ballot. However, voters are required to be registered and must provide a copy of a valid photo ID to obtain an absentee ballot. Voters may either mail their completed ballot back to the Election Commission or deposit the completed ballot at one of the 15 drop-off sites located around Milwaukee. Ballots can be dropped off 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are collected by Election Commission staff daily.

The second way to vote is in-person early voting. Early voting at 15 sites across Milwaukee begins on Thursday, October 20 and continues through Sunday, November 1. Voters must show a valid photo ID to vote early and will be required to wear a face mask and follow social distancing measures.

The third and final way to vote is in-person on Election Day, November 3. If voters have not registered by Election Day, they may register in person on Election Day. Voters must show a valid photo ID, such as a Wisconsin driver’s license or ID card or a valid U.S. passport.

Voters and poll workers alike will be required to wear a face mask and follow social distancing measures. Poll workers will disinfect voting booths before and after every use and will clean and disinfect any surface the public is required to touch to keep polling places clean and safe.

“The strength of any democracy is the voice of the people, and the way to make your voice heard is to vote,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “The City of Milwaukee has been working diligently for months to ensure the ballots of our residents can be cast in a variety of ways and that they will each be counted in a successful and transparent manner. This election is simply too important not to get it right.”