Yesterday, Lisa requested our Wisconsinite readers for his or her tales of voting throughout a pandemic. Our inboxes had been rapidly flooded. Than
Yesterday, Lisa requested our Wisconsinite readers for his or her tales of voting throughout a pandemic. Our inboxes had been rapidly flooded. Thanks to everybody who replied; it helped inform our reporting, and we love listening to from our readers.
Listed below are a few of your responses, edited and condensed:
‘A tragic day in Wisconsin’
My husband and I requested absentee ballots and by no means obtained them. We’re seniors who at all times vote and right this moment we is not going to vote. Human lives are at stake and the secure factor to do is to remain in place and never vote. It’s a unhappy day in Wisconsin and our representatives didn’t do the honorable act by standing by the governor and suspending the election. Then the Wisconsin Supreme Court docket additionally failed Wisconsin.
— Bonnie Ehlert, Cambridge, Wis.
‘Very nervous about stepping into’
I’m a ballot employee and will probably be liable for counting/validating absentee ballots at tomorrow’s election. I used to be relieved initially to see that Tony Evers, our governor, had been profitable at suspending the election. Shortly after, I acquired the decision: It was again on. I’m a Democrat, and really nervous about stepping into tomorrow. I’m 62 with no well being points however I perceive the gravity of the scenario. I really feel accountable to our democracy to help this course of however I’m very conflicted. Initially I requested an absentee poll however by no means obtained the poll within the mail. After ready 11 days, I went into our clerk’s workplace to vote early.
— Jennifer Patterson, Brookfield, Wis.
‘Endangering so many lives’
I’ve labored elections for the Metropolis of Milwaukee Elections Fee since 2007. Each infant, and each federal election together with the presidential elections of 2008, 2012 and 2016, and I plan to work November 2020. I certain don’t do it for the cash, I’ve been within the funding enterprise for 35 years.
I’m sick from the concept that Wisconsin’s Republican leaders imagine that profitable a 10-year seat on the Supreme Court docket is price endangering so many lives, not to mention mine. That’s the solely motive this election will probably be carried out in particular person tomorrow.
I plan on going to Washington Excessive College at 6 a.m. Tuesday to carry out my civic obligation.
— Tom Shanahan, Milwaukee
‘He waited till the final minute’
We had discover effectively prematurely about doing absentee voting as a result of impending virus. So for the primary time in my life, I utilized for an absentee poll, had no hassle in receiving it, and voted and despatched it in. Those that waited till the final minute appear to be those who at the moment are upset about it.
Some time again our Governor Evers was adamant that the election was occurring as scheduled when a number of different states had been already altering their election dates. He waited till the final minute to cancel the April 7 election. He had loads of time to do it proper.
So unhappy that the pointing-fingers and blame sport is working amok now. It didn’t must be this manner.
— Shirley Grunloh, Oshkosh, Wis.
‘I thanked the ballot employees’
I tried to acquire an absentee poll final week so I might vote by mail, however I haven’t obtained it but. So I made a decision to go in particular person this morning. My polling place in Madison was fairly quiet at 9:15 and effectively staffed. That they had personnel exterior to deal with curbside voting. Everybody was sporting a masks and gloves. Inside, there was just one different voter. The ballot employees had been seated behind a glass partition. I used to be out and in in 5 minutes. I thanked the ballot employees for being prepared to work below these situations.
— Tom Dale, Madison, Wis.
‘All the employees appeared like surgeons’
I simply turned in my absentee poll as a first-time voter. My polling place was largely deserted, aside from a number of ballot employees. All the employees appeared like surgeons prepping for an operation with the quantity of P.P.E. they’d on, and I imagine there have been glass dividers between the voting cubicles to attenuate the unfold of germs.
— Ryan Witz, Oregon, Wis.
‘The least secure factor most of us will do that week’
I used to be at my polling place when the polls opened at 7, and there was already a line of individuals, most of whom had requested an absentee poll a few weeks in the past. The ballot employees had been doing their finest to wipe down the voting stations and to remain secure, however there have been a number of occasions when individuals stood too carefully with out realizing it, and one particular person by chance sneezed on the check-in desk. This was the least secure factor most of us will do that week. I’ve been so cautious, and I could have simply negated all my efforts to maintain myself and my household secure as a result of I wanted to vote. There was usually a sense of frustration and resignation on the polls — but in addition emotions of defiance and suspicion of authority — and that isn’t the spirit that we ought to be fostering in our communities proper now.
— Christine Roth, Oshkosh, Wis.
Because of Isabella Grullón Paz for her assist compiling our readers’ responses, and to Reid J. Epstein and Stephanie Saul for contributing reporting.
Pictures at high:
In Milwaukee: Lauren Justice for The New York Occasions; Scott Olson/Getty Pictures; Tannen Maury/EPA, by way of Shutterstock
In Kenosha, Wis.: Derek R. Henkle/Agence France-Presse — Getty Pictures