County clerks across Wisconsin are sounding a unified warning to voters: get your absentee ballot to the clerk’s office as soon as possible. The advice comes after an Oct. 6 Dane County court decision stopped a proposed backup plan that would have let voters with late‑arriving mail cast provisional ballots on Election Day.
Why the push for early returns?
Rock County Clerk Lisa Tollefson told reporters on Tuesday that voters should avoid mailing ballots when Election Day is less than two weeks away. “We want them to actually deliver it to the clerk directly, use a drop box, find an alternate method, because if we don’t have it by 8 p.m. we can’t count it,” she said.
The warning reflects a broader concern among Wisconsin’s municipal clerks. A recent Wisconsin Elections Commission survey found that two‑thirds of clerks experienced mail‑delivery problems in the April election. Officials fear similar delays could jeopardize the upcoming November vote if ballots arrive after the 8 p.m. deadline.
Current absentee‑ballot activity
Despite the concerns, early reports suggest the system is functioning smoothly so far. Mark Eby, Chetek City Clerk and vice president of the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association, said clerks have not yet seen widespread issues with mailed ballots. “Ballots began going out in mid‑September, and voters have already returned over 142,000,” he noted, emphasizing that the “late returns” are what officials are most worried about.
Wisconsin is one of only 35 states that does not count ballots arriving after Election Day, even if they were postmarked by the deadline. In contrast, 15 states allow ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if they arrive later. This strict rule makes timely delivery essential for every absentee voter.
Legal backdrop
The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin filed a lawsuit in July seeking a provisional‑ballot remedy for voters whose mail might be delayed. The case remains pending in Dane County court, but Judge Rhonda Lanford denied a temporary injunction last week, keeping the existing deadline in place for the upcoming election.
Officials stress that the court’s decision does not change the fundamental requirement: all absentee ballots must be received by the clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. The ruling simply eliminates the short‑term backup plan that some had hoped would provide a safety net for late‑mail voters.
What voters can do
Clerks recommend several practical steps to ensure a ballot is counted:
- Use a drop box or hand‑deliver the ballot to the clerk’s office as soon as possible.
- If mailing, send the ballot early enough to account for potential postal delays.
- Consider using an alternate return method, such as a designated ballot‑return location, if available in your county.
By following these guidelines, voters can help avoid the risk of an uncounted ballot and ensure their voice is heard in the November election.
Looking ahead
With the election calendar tightening, Wisconsin’s election officials are doubling down on their long‑standing advice: submit absentee ballots well in advance. The emphasis on early return reflects a commitment to preserving the integrity of the voting process and protecting every eligible voter’s right to have their vote counted.
Original reporting: Wisconsin Watch — read the source article.
