GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – “I think that’s the case….keep calm and carry on”
We’re just about 3 weeks from the April 7th Presidential Primary and in Wisconsin city clerks are faced with more than the typical challenges.
Clerks are not only setting up polling places and scheduling poll workers…they’re doing it with the backdrop and restrictions of the coronavirus outbreak.
De Pere clerk Carey Dainen says voters are requesting absentee ballots like never before.
“People are taking advantage of absentee ballots to avoid crowds on Election Day”
And the state Elections Commission is all for it.
“The WEC is encouraging voters and encouraging clerks to get the word out that absentee ballots might be a good option to go with this time.”
It’s all part of the effort to minimize voter exposure to COVID 19 germs.
But Dainen says poll workers might not want to be there either.
“We definitely have protocols in place for Election Day at the polling locations for cleaning and sanitizing.”
But she has to be prepared if that’s not good enough to help poll workers comfort level.
“We’re trying to develop some backup plans if we have people who aren’t comfortable.”
Those conversations are happening this week. Absentee ballots can be mailed out to registered voters. More information can be found at MYVOTE-dot-W-I-dot-GOV.
