Steady stream of voters at polls during Election Day 2020 🗳️
Updated: 5:42 p.m. Nov 3, 2020
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- Milwaukee has 173 polling places open Tuesday, Nov. 3.
It has been a steady stream of people coming in to vote at the Zeidler Municipal Building downtown, but election officials say overall it has been slower here for in-person voting.
A small line is forming out of the door at the Zeidler Municipal Building downtown Milwaukee, election officials tell me there’s usually a rush around 4:30 after people get out of work @CBS58pic.twitter.com/xPDI78bkVu
— Cearron Bagenda (@CearronBagenda) November 3, 2020
Some people say they voted in person because they weren't confident in sending their ballots through the mail. Others say the absentee ballot mail in process was just too confusing to them.
Election officials at the Zeidler Building say the rush happens before people get into work, during the noon lunch hour, and after work starting at 4:30 p.m. The final rush comes before polls close at 8 p.m.
Voters tell CBS 58 they felt the process was easy and felt safe voting in-person, as well as encouraged people who have not voted, to get out and vote.
"I feel like a lot of people think that it's gonna be long hours, that there's gonna be a lot of people or that it's not gonna be safe due to Covid, but no, it was so easy," Belen Duran said after voting in-person.
Emily Jade said the process is very organized.
"Everybody's masked up, it's secure," Jade said. "The process is very organized. People should definitely vote today. At least for me, the lines are not very long. I heard other cities (are) about the same. I know the participation is up today. I'm really proud."
Statewide between early voting and absentee voting through the mail, 1.85 million people already voted ahead of time. That is more than 60% of the total who voted in 2016.
Published: 7:00 a.m. Nov. 3, 2020
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Election Day is here. Voting is underway across Wisconsin as polls opened at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
If you haven't registered to vote yet, you still can at the polls. If you haven't dropped off your absentee ballot, you need to do that before 7 p.m.
It’s a #ElectionDay!
— Emily Thornton (@EmilyThorntonTV) November 3, 2020
What you need to know:
?Polls open at 7am
?You can register to vote in WI today, but need proof of address (utility bill, driver’s license)
? Polls close at 8pm, but you can vote as long as you’re in line before then https://t.co/uQCpK4B78j@CBS58
At the Zeidler Center voting location in downtown Milwaukee, voters got in line around 6 a.m.
"I have to work today and I wanted to be able to do both," Voter MaryBeth Waite said. "I thought... it was best to get up at 4:30 this morning and try to be one of the first people on line so I could accomplish both and let my vote be counted."
Another voter told CBS 58 he wanted to vote in-person on Election Day because that is what he is used to doing.
"I've always come in-person on the day of," Voter James Marshall said.
Around 7:15 a.m., the line stretched more than a block around the Zeidler Center.
Polls are open in Wisconsin! Check out this line at the Zeidler Building in Milwaukee. Several voters I’ve talked with say it’s encouraging seeing this many people out this AM. We’ll have coverage all day and night @CBS58#ElectionDaypic.twitter.com/yffutodIRf
— Emily Thornton (@EmilyThorntonTV) November 3, 2020
"People are more anxious about this election, more so than any other election that I’ve seen in my lifetime," Marshall said.
By 9 a.m., the line was gone. Many voters said this election year has been different from any other and they are looking to the future with hope.
"Hopefully we can put apart this difference after Election Day is over and everybody can come back together and be friends again," Voter Donald Wright said.
If you're registering to vote, you need a photo ID and proof of address. It can be a Wisconsin driver's license, utility bill or other document like a lease.
If you're already registered to vote, you need a photo ID to prove who you are.
At polling locations, workers will be wearing masks and social distancing measures will be in place.
***CBS 58 Campaign 2020 coverage***
The Wisconsin Elections Commission is warning people results are going to take longer than usual because so many people voted absentee.
"I know you’re used to getting results, turning on your 10 p.m. news, I'm getting a pretty good idea of where things stand, that’s not going to happen this year. It doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong or that there’s a problem," said Reid Magney, Wisconsin Elections Commission public information officer. "It means that the clerks and pool workers in your area are doing their jobs, making sure that every legitimate ballot vote is counted accurately."
In Milwaukee, you can drop off an absentee ballot at a polling place so make sure you know the correct drop-off location.
Polls close at 8 p.m., but if you're in line by then, you will be able to vote.