More than 7,000 people have voted since three polling places opened in late September in Milwaukee. A federal court’s ruling earlier this year struck down laws restricting early voting opportunities, allowing residents in Milwaukee to vote earlier than ever.
The city added two new polling places this year. One of the new locations was strategically placed near the Latino community because they have been under-represented in the past, Neil Albrecht, executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission, said.
“We felt strongly that if we could establish that early voting site geographically in the city on the south side, that we could encourage stronger voter participation,” Albrecht said.
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There will be 725 hours of early voting available compared to 110 during the last presidential election in 2012.
Albrecht said fewer restrictions give people who normally wouldn’t have time to vote a chance to participate.
“There can be some very real barriers that can stop people from getting to their polling place on Election Day,” Albrecht said. “Early voting is the mechanism that ensures those individuals still get to exercise their democratic right to vote.”
Early voting in Milwaukee ends Nov. 5. The general elections is Nov. 8.
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