As Wisconsin’s early voting began, residents from various locations sounded off on the state’s struggles with a slow voter management system. Voters from Madison, Waukesha, Brown Deer, and Johnson Creek shared their experiences with The Epoch Times.
On the first day of in-person absentee voting, there were 97,436 votes cast, surpassing the numbers from the previous year. Some clerks faced technical difficulties with printing labels for absentee ballot envelopes due to issues with the WisVote platform.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) acknowledged the system lag, attributing it to high turnout, but the problem persisted the following day. The delays affected not only label printing but also other state systems.
Despite the challenges, voters continued to show up to cast their ballots in various locations across the state. From Brown Deer to Waukesha, citizens expressed their eagerness to participate in the popular vote and make an impact in the closely contested Senate race between Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Eric Hovde.
Brown Deer and Waukesha
In Brown Deer, early voting saw a steady stream of voters at the Village Hall. The diverse community has historically leaned Democratic and has a significant African American population.
Meanwhile, in Waukesha, a line formed outside the City Hall as voters waited to cast their ballots. The area, known for its Catholic population, showed strong support for Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance.
Dane County and Jefferson County
Across the state in Dane County, home to Madison and the University of Wisconsin, voters showed strong Democratic support. Trump received less than 23% of the vote in Dane County in the previous election.
Despite the challenges with the voter management system, residents in various parts of the state remained committed to exercising their right to vote and making their voices heard in the election.
The voting statistics from the counties also highlight significant differences in voting habits between Democrat- and Republican-leaning areas. Dane County, with a population 41 percent larger than Waukesha County, had only four percent more in-person absentee voting on Oct. 23, according to WEC. However, it returned 45 percent more absentee ballots overall, indicating a higher use of mail-in absentee ballots.
While Waukesha received a visit from Vance, Madison welcomed Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, along with former President Barack Obama and other prominent state Democrats, as well as actor Bradley Whitford from “West Wing.”
Madison residents like Pam Wilkinson took the opportunity to vote after attending the afternoon rally. Wilkinson, a yoga instructor and rock-climbing coach, eagerly awaited the chance to cast her ballot. She and her roommate, nurse Pat Harris, voted for the other Harris, inspired by issues such as abortion rights.
Dolyn Salm, a pharmacy resident from Fond Du Lac, also supported Harris, citing abortion rights as a motivating factor. Another voter, Stuart, praised Harris’s proposals for an increased child tax credit and support for first-time homebuyers.
The enthusiasm for early voting was evident in Madison, with a high number of appointments for voting services. Johnson Creek also saw a steady flow of voters on the second day of early voting, with minor issues reported with label printing.
Voters like Philip and Connie Sierlecki in Johnson Creek cast their ballots early, with Philip, a retired postal worker with multiple sclerosis, supporting Trump. Other voters, like Marty Braunschweig, emphasized issues of “law and order” and “the border” as reasons for supporting Trump.
The diversity of opinions and voting preferences in cities like Madison, Waukesha, Brown Deer, and Johnson Creek will play a crucial role in Wisconsin’s presidential election. Each town and city’s contribution could impact the outcome of the election in January. Please rewrite this sentence. Please rewrite this sentence.
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