As of Tuesday, more than 9,000 people in Oneida County had already cast their ballot in the upcoming election.
More than 11,000 people in the county had requested absentee ballots. Nearly 1,000 people have voted via in-person absentee ballot since that was an option starting a week ago.
Rhinelander City Clerk Val Foley said 80 people voted the first day of in-person absentee voting and it’s been a steady stream ever since.
“In person absentee has been quite busy there are a lot of people that would prefer to vote this way. They don’t want to have to go to the polls and they feel good about coming into the clerk’s office and knowing that we have their ballot right away,” said Foley.
The last possible day for people to vote in-person absentee is November 1. Most Clerks will only offer it until this Friday.
You should contact your local clerk for times and days it’s available.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission recommends mailing your ballots Tuesday if you haven’t done so already. This will help ensure your ballot is received to clerk’s office by election day.
After Tuesday, the Elections Commission recommends either using your town’s ballot drop box if it has one or returning it directly to your clerk.
Foley said people have been taking advantage of Rhinelander’s new drop box.
“I check that several times of day and there’s usually quite a few of them in there. The only things that’s deterred people was when the weather got a little nasty, then they didn’t show up for a little bit, but as soon as it gets nice again they’re right back at it. That’s a good thing,” said Foley.
Most voters can also deliver their ballot to their polling place by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Thursday is the last day you can request an absentee ballot by mail, though Wisconsin Chief Election’s Official warns it’s unrealistic for any voter to wait this late to request an absentee ballot this late and expect to get it in time to return it by Election Day.
You can track your ballot at myvote.wi.gov.
This Friday is the last day to register to vote at your municipal clerk’s office. You can register to vote at the polls on Election Day.
November 3rd is Election Day. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
