STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — Election officials in Stevens Point are ready to welcome voters on Tuesday for a much-talked-about, hotly contested Presidental race amid a global pandemic.
Mayor Mike Wiza says like other Wisconsin towns, thousands have already cast their ballots either through the mail or in-person, absentee at City Hall.
“We’ve had voting at City Hall in our conference room and at 933 Michigan Avenue (Police station). I don’t have the numbers back yet, but a significant number of people have voted early,” said Wiza.
That early voting ended on Friday, meaning all that’s left now is the big show on Tuesday. Wiza says that means voters will now have to report to their usual polling stations to cast their ballots.
“If you need help finding that polling location you can go to stevenspoint.com or myvote.wi.gov. Show up in-person, bring your ID, and if you’re not registered that’s OK we can register you there. And, please be patient with the poll workers and be safe,” he said.
Masks will not be required for voters on Tuesday but Wiza says they are encouraged. He adds that many of the same precautions that have been in place for earlier elections like sneeze guards, hand sanitizer, and regular cleaning of voting booths will be in place.
“Just be respectful and remember no campaign logo buttons, signs, hats, or maks in the polling location. That is a law,” added Wiza. That includes face coverings that have one candidate’s name or another on them.
Wiza says poll workers will use any downtime they have during the day to begin processing absentee ballots for their district, a process that is expected to take up most of the day. He adds if the lines are steady during the 13-hour day, that could mean absentee ballots aren’t processed until after polls close at 8 PM meaning results for the city could be delayed.
For this election, the city also installed ballot drop boxes at City Hall and on the campus of UWSP. Wiza says those may be utilized for more upcoming elections such as the spring 2021 municipal election for odd-numbered city council seats and other positions like City Attorney and Clerk.
Other topics Wiza discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- Recap of both Mike’s recent surgeries
1:30- Update on the emergency declaration for the city’s fire department due to a COVID-19 outbreak
5:20- Update on absentee voting and election procedures for Tuesday
10:15- Could the city of Stevens Point institute its own mask ordnance?
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