Early voting in Madison continues to blow past figures seen four years ago, with more than 30,000 people casting absentee ballots, a number that's already represents a fifth higher turnout than that seen four years ago, and with two more days of early voting uncounted. The number of people voting on Halloween and Dia de los Muertos was down slightly from those casting ballots during the week itself, with combined totals just exceeding 2,500 persons, but that's still an impressive turnout.
Given the ongoing high levels of participation and interest in casting early ballots, Madison mayoral communications director Rachel Strauch-Nelson is issuing regular updates prepared by the Madison City Clerk's office, detailing turnout figures, voting instructions, and other election preparations.
Here is an update issued yesterday about the Friday numbers:
On Friday, 1,217 people voted in the City Clerk's office. As of this morning, 13,553 people have voted in person in the clerk's office. Between those and absentee ballots in the mail, our total is 28,977. In 2004, 25,258 ballots were cast before Election Day.
Strauch-Nelson issued another update on the Saturday numbers early this afternoon:
With extended hours at the City Clerk's office yesterday, 1,305 people voted early. So far, 16,075 people have voted in the clerk's office, which brings our absentee ballot total to 30,279. Again, before the 2004 general election, the clerk's office issued 25,258 absentee ballots. The clerk's office is open until 5 p.m. today for voting, and between early voters and poll worker trainings, the hallways here at the CCB are buzzing. Early voting hours for tomorrow are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The City-County Building was indeed buzzing with early voters on Sunday, with poll volunteers predicting an end-of-day tally that would easily match numbers seen in previous days despite the shorter hours. There is one more chance to cast an early ballot on Monday, after which all registration and voting will be conducted at ward polling places on Election Day.
