'We're ready': Milwaukee's city and county leaders prepare for Election Day, early voting numbers up from 2020

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- In the final days before Election Day, officials in the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County are prepared for a late night as ballots come in from across the area. 

At two different press briefings on Monday, Nov. 4, Paulina Gutierrez, the executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission, and Michelle Hawley, the director of the Milwaukee County Election Commission, addressed early voting turnout. 

According to the MEC, compared to this point in the 2020 election cycle, Milwaukee's early voting numbers have increased overall by 9%.

By state law, Wisconsin is one of only two states that does not allow ballots to be processed until Election Day. Hawley said a high number of absentee ballots to count will be what contributes to a late night of counting ballots. 

“Our elections officials are working really hard to ensure that the processing of those absentee ballots is done accurately and transparently, and so we are always going to make sure that’s done over making sure that we get it done in a certain amount of time," Hawley said.

Hawley and Gutierrez said the process of transporting ballots to central count and the Baird Center should run smoothly. 

“We are feeling confident that we're going to be alright and can handle any issues quickly and swiftly in the event we need to at central count," Gutierrez said. 

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