'Risk my life to vote:' Wisconsinites head to the polls despite health concerns over COVID-19

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Voters across Wisconsin headed to the polls on Tuesday, March 7.

Despite health concerns, many voters said they felt they needed to do their civic duty. At Milwaukee's Riverside High School, people lined up before the polls opened at 7 a.m.

“I’m really concerned of the people that are elderly, that may be handicapped, people that are used to voting in a typical way and this is new," Voter Kalan Haywood said. "So not only do you have a new system, you have a new system during a pandemic."

Polls are open at Riverside High School in Milwaukee. Many voters are wearing masks and keeping their distance from each other. A line started to form around 6 a.m. #WisconsinPrimary#COVID19@CBS58pic.twitter.com/ypN0Fs9whw

— Emily Thornton (@EmilyThorntonTV) April 7, 2020

Throughout the day, lines stretched around the school filled with people standing several feet apart and wearing masks.

“I don’t think people should be voting today, people are dying," Voter Willie Johnson said.

Some people came prepared to spend hours in line.

"I have food, I have water, I have a lawnchair, I have a mask," RoseMary Oliveira said. "I have to come down here today and risk my life to vote and I'm happy to do it because that is my right... I'm here, they're not going to stop me from voting."

For those who couldn't do inside, drive-thru voting was offered. 

“I started to get out of my car and they said, 'no you can just vote right here', all the handicap people are allowed to do that," Philip Roades said. "I’m very impressed with the way that the city people came together and that the National Guard people being brought in have given us a sense of, well things aren’t going to get out of hand."

Several voters tell CBS 58 inside the polling place workers had people standing a distance from each other and were disinfecting the voting stations.