Steady at the polls: Voters make their voices heard on Election Day
CBS 58 SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Voters are making their voices heard on Election Day, Nov. 3, weighing in on everything from public safety to immigration. Across Wisconsin, voters are casting their ballots in a race that could shape Wisconsin's future.
The governor's race between Democrat David Crowley and Republican Tom Tiffany is one of the big decisions on the ballot.
For voters we spoke with Tuesday at Milwaukee's Saveland Park, the issues go beyond the candidates -- some are focused on the balance of power in Washington, while others say public safety and the cost of living are top priorities.
"Senate is rubber stamping anything the President wants to do. We have to get a good mixture of people in the Senate," said Ronald Davrik, voter.
“On the level of needing public safety, on helping our farmers, helping small businesses, the Republican ticket is the way to go," said Lukas Baker, voter.
"My grandparents came over here from Italy and I don't want people to live in fear because they want a better life for themselves. I want people to be able to afford a living, and I don’t think a lot of people can do that," said Lisa Brierton, voter.
Wisconsin's voter turnout is often more than 10% higher than the national average. The 2022 midterms saw about 60% of eligible Wisconsin voters hit the polls overall.
While it's too early to predict this year's turnout, the Wisconsin Elections Commission has already seen a spike in absentee ballot voters.
As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, 797,000 absentee ballots had been returned to municipal clerks with more than half of those cast in-person.
That's about a 7% increase from the previous midterm general election four years ago.
Those numbers serve as a good reminder it will take time to compile results.
"Statewide, clerks have to process nearly 800,000 absentee ballots," said Meagan Wolfe, Wisconsin Elections Commission administrator. Please be patient as our poll workers work diligently to process a high volume of absentee ballots. As always, election officials prioritize accuracy over speed."
If you still have an absentee ballot that hasn't been dropped off yet, you need to drop it off in person to your municipal clerk by polls close at 8 p.m. In Milwaukee, you can use the drop boxes at the public library branches or the Zeidler Building. Last pickup from the drop box is at 6 p.m., so you need to drop it off before then.
