Early in-person absentee voting running smoothly

Clerks report minimal issues

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

There have been few if any issues related to early in-person absentee voting, according to some area clerks, who said hundreds have already cast ballots for the Nov. 8 election.

In-person absentee voting, which started Oct. 3, was expanded following July ruling in U.S. District Court, where portions of Wisconsin’s 2011 Voter ID law were removed.

While parts of the election law remain, including the requirement that all eligible voters must present a valid state identification card, two area clerks have reported no issues.

In the Town of Salem, Clerk Cindi Dulaney states all voters acknowledge the Voter ID law.

“All voters, when asked have produced a voter photo ID with no questions,” said Dulaney. “It appears our voters are aware it is required.”

While other counties have reported some mail-in absentee ballots were sent in without witness signatures, Dulaney said it has not been the case in the Town of Salem.

Witness signatures are required, according to 2015 Wisconsin Act 261. Any omissions are rejected.

“All of our absentee ballots to date have been returned with complete addresses,” said Dulaney, who reports about 814 have been sent out. “We are very specific in our enclosed instructions that it is required and could be rejected for an incomplete witness address.”

While the Town of Salem reports no concerns related to mail-in absentee ballots, Twin Lakes Village Clerk Laura Roesslein noted there were five ballots sent in without a witness signature.

However, Roesslein states village employees have done due diligence to ensure all votes are counted.

“To correct the ballots with witness address omission or insufficiency village staff has either called or sent a letter to the voter,” Roesslein said.

As of Thursday, the Village has received 258 of 342 absentee ballots, Roesslein stated.

Individuals filing absentee have until the Friday before the Nov. 8 election to postmark ballots.

Until then, both the Town of Salem and Village of Twin Lakes have locked ballots in a sealed vault.

“Their ballot will be stored in a locked vault until election day,” Roesslein said. “On election day poll workers will then run the ballots through the DS200 to tabulate.”

Like Twin Lakes, Salem’s Dulaney has secured all returned ballots.

“In-person absentee voting ballots are placed into a certification envelope, sealed, witnessed and locked up until election day,” she said.

With time still left, Roesslein reminds voters yet to send in their absentee ballots complete all fields on the envelope.

“Please remember that the voter must sign and date the outside of the absentee ballot envelope,” Roesslein said. “The witness must sign and provide their physical address. A complete address contains a street number, street name and name of municipality.”

Eligibility Guidelines
Qualified voters are any U.S. citizen 18 years or older, who have resided within a ward or municipality for at least 10 days leading up to the day of election.

Eligible voters must register in their respective municipal clerk’s office and submit a photo ID along with proof of residency to receive an absentee ballot.

Information related to your voting area as follows:

Town of Salem
Starting Monday, Oct. 24 through Nov. 4, the Town Hall at 9814 Antioch Rd. will expand its hours, opening at 7 a.m. and running until 11:30 a.m., before reopening at 12:30 p.m. with a 5 p.m. closing time.

For more information, contact Town Clerk Cindi Dulaney at (262) 298-5702 or by email at [email protected].

Town of Randall
The Randall Town Hall, 34530 Bassett Rd., is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until noon and then from 1 to 5 p.m.

The Town Hall will also be open for early absentee voting on Friday, Nov. 4, as state law requires.

For additional information, call (262) 877-2165 or email at [email protected].

Town of Wheatland
The Wheatland Town Hall is at 34315 Geneva Rd. For more information, contact Sheila Siegler at (262) 537-4340 or email at [email protected].

Village of Silver Lake
The Silver Lake Village Hall, 113 S. First St., is open from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

For more information, contact (262) 889-4308 or email [email protected].

Village of Paddock Lake
In the Village of Paddock Lake, early in-person voting began Oct. 3 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays in the village office, 6969 236th Ave. Paddock Lake. Contact Emily Uhlenhake, clerk/treasurer, with questions at (262) 843-2713 or [email protected].

Village of Twin Lakes
In-person absentee voting is available during village hall office hours of 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. from Monday through Friday.

For information, call (262) 877-2858 or email at [email protected].


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