More Wisconsin voters shun mail ballots as early voting opens in swing state
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Wisconsinites begin in-person early voting Tuesday, with early reports suggesting more people are skipping mail ballots this year in a state that has no grace period for late arrivals.
Election officials are already sounding the alarm about mail voting delays after some voters had to wait an “unusually long time” to receive their absentee ballots for the April primary. Now the Postal Service is slowing pickup and delivery times, and Wisconsin requires that ballots arrive by 8 p.m. on election day in order to count.
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One-quarter of election clerks reported receiving more late ballots than usual, the Wisconsin Election Commission wrote in a May letter to the U.S. Postmaster General.
The U.S. Supreme Court eventually halted President Donald Trump’s unprecedented attempt to use the Postal Service to effectively regulate who can vote by mail. However, his assault on mail ballots eroded voters’ trust in the Postal Service.
As a result, requests for mail ballots are reportedly down nearly 18% this year in Wisconsin.
The U.S. Postal Service recommends absentee ballots be mailed one week before Election Day to arrive in time, according to the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. Voters can track their absentee ballots online.
The Wisconsin governor’s race — a matchup between election denier Rep. Tom Tiffany (R) and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley (D) — could be a close one. Crowley holds a narrow lead within the margin of error, according to recent polling. Tiffany has raked in considerable campaign funding from billionaire donors, Wisconsin Public Radio reported.
The election denier in the White House will undoubtedly be keeping an eye on Wisconsin’s close races. Earlier this year, the FBI launched a probe into Wisconsin’s 2020 election results, questioning state and local officials.
To find voting hours and locations, check with your local clerk’s office. Information about Wisconsin’s voter identification requirements can be found here.