Racine Mayor Cory Mason and the Office of the City Clerk have announced the expansion of early voting hours and the addition of satellite voting locations for City of Racine residents for the Nov. 6 election. In addition to increasing voting hours and locations, the City also installed voter registration kiosks in the public library and city hall.
UPDATE
On Tuesday evening, the Common Council officially approved the expanded hours and locations for early voting, following a short, but contentious discussion over how the plan would be executed and whether or not it applied to just the Nov. 6 election.
Speaking in support of the plan Tuesday evening Ald. John Tate II said: “We are a representative democracy and we are only as strong as the participation of our citizenry. Everything we can do as a governing body to make sure people have access, whether it’s providing addition days or expanding the hours is critical to engaging people in our democracy.”
“Ensuring that all of our citizens have the opportunity to take part in a critical tenant of our democracy, the act of voting, is a basic function of government that I take very seriously, said Mason. “Everyone deserves access to the ballot box and we know there are barriers to voting on election day. This plan provides an opportunity to break through those barriers,”
The expanded plan includes:
• Kiosks located on the second floor of the public library and in the City Clerk’s office for voter registration and to request absentee ballots
• Early voting will begin at City Hall in the City Clerk’s office on Oct. 16 and run through Nov. 2 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Extended hours for early voting on Nov, 2 are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Satellite early voting locations, Saturday, Oct. 27, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., include:
• City Hall, Office of the City Clerk, Room 103, 730 Washington Ave.
• Tyler Domer Community Center, 2301 12th St.
• Cesar Chavez Community Center, 2221 Douglas Ave.
“With the leadership and support of Mayor Mason, the City of Racine’s Clerks office is excited to offer satellite absentee voting within the City of Racine,” said Deputy City Clerk Tara Coolidge. “This is only the beginning of bringing expanded voter accessibility to the City, as we hope to expand opportunities in future elections. We look forward to seeing many City residents exercise their right to vote on Saturday, October 27.”
Pending approval of the Common Council, the expansion of voting location and hours will help to ensure that City residents have increased access and opportunities to vote in the November election.
The City Clerk’s office anticipates election turnout will be high on election day, and believes the expansion of early voting hours and locations provides residents the ability to avoid the lines on Nov. 6
Questions related to early voting should be directed to the Office of the City Clerk, 262-636-9171, or tara.coolidge@cityofracine.org.