Mayor Barrett announces early voting changes

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Neil Albrecht, executive director of the Milwaukee Election commission held a press conference Monday morning announcing major changes in hours and locations of in person absentee voting this election season.

Like every election, the Ziedler Municipal Building will be open, but with increased hours. Starting on September 26, early voters can cast their ballots. Voters can cast their absentee ballots for 6 weeks, as the building will be open for 295 hours this election season. That’s up from 105 hours during the last election.

But for the first time, the city will open two new locations for early voters. One location will be at the Midtown Center on Capitol  Drive, the other location will be at the Forest Home Library on the south side of the city.

In all voters will have 725 hours to cast their ballots between all three locations. However, the two satellite locations won’t be opening until October 10, two weeks after the Ziedler Building begins.

Hours will be 10am - 6pm on weekdays, and from 12pm - 5pm on weekends.

The move comes after a federal judge recently ruled the current election laws in Wisconsin, particularly containing to early voting were too restrictive, especially in Milwaukee.

City election officials anticipate 60,000 voters will case in person absentee votes this year.