Early Voting Starts Today
By Kenneth Megan
The June 5th recall of Scott Walker will be one of the most important elections Wisconsin has ever faced, and our key to victory is voter turnout. While Walker and his billionaire cronies are extremely well-financed, they cannot compete with us in terms of spirit, will and determination. We must motivate all of our friends, family and neighbors to head to the polls and vote in large numbers on the June 5th recall election.
Click here for an excellent, detailed website on voting information.
As of May 21st, early voting in Wisconsin is officially available, and can be utilized by filling out an absentee ballot. Instead of waiting until Election Day on June 5th, why not cast a vote for Tom Barrett early? If you think you’ll be busy or out of the state, this is a great way to ensure that your voice is heard in this historic recall election. Early voting can be completed in the following ways:
1) In-Person at your Local Municipal Clerk’s Office
This is the simplest way to vote early. Absentee ballots are available in the office of your local Municipal Clerk (See Directory of Local Municipal Clerks for the address.) You can fill it out right there in the office and you do not need to provide a reason as to why you are voting early. This process can be done up until 5 pm on the Friday before the election, which in this case will be Friday, June 1st.
If you are not registered to vote, you will need to bring along a proof of address, such as a Driver’s License, pay stub or utility bill, as well as your social security number or driver’s license number. The Municipal Clerk will be able to register you immediately.
2) Request by Mail
If you prefer, you can request an absentee ballot to be mailed to you. Simply download the absentee ballot request form and mail it to your local Municipal Clerk’s Office (See Directory of Local Municipal Clerks for the address.) You will then receive an absentee ballot in the mail, which, upon completion, you can return to the Municipal Clerk’s Office. The absentee ballot request form must be postmarked by the Thursday before the election, in this case Thursday, May 31st.
3) Request by Email or Fax
You can request an absentee ballot by emailing or faxing your local Municipal Clerk’s Office (See Directory of Local Municipal Clerks for contact information.) Please provide your name and address and the Municipal Clerk will mail you a ballot. However, please understand that before your vote can be counted, the Municipal Clerk must have a signed copy of your request. To do this, simply print out the email or fax form, sign it, and return it with your ballot (but outside the certified ballot envelope.) This request form must be emailed or faxed no later than Thursday before the election, in this case Thursday, May 31st.
Important Information on Deadlines
If you opt to receive an Absentee Ballot mailed to you, the ballot must be returned to your local Municipal Clerk’s Office no later than the Election Day on June 5th, so it can be delivered to the polling location by 8 pm.
Register to Vote
If you choose to have the absentee ballot mailed to you, you must be a registered voter. If you are not registered, you will need to register in person at your local Municipal Clerk’s Office. You will need to provide proof of address as well as your driver’s license number or social security number. For more information on, see The Government Accountability Board’s website on voter registration.
We cannot over stress the importance of voter turnout in this election. Scott Walker and his elite band of right-wing extremists are miniscule compared to the millions of Wisconsinites who have demanded a renewal of our state's values. We need you to spread the word about all of the voting options citizens have, so we can maximize turnout and mobilize voters.
In the end, this election will be decided by you.
