With the presidential election only a few weeks away, local officials are preparing for record voter turnout by delivering the highest number of ballots ever ordered in Dane County to polling stations.
Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk said at a news conference Monday they are ready for the Nov. 4 election.
The city of Madison is carrying out unprecedented preparations for this year's election,"" Cieslewicz said. ""City officials are working hard to ensure that Election Day is as smooth and convenient as possible for Madison voters.""
The number of ballots ordered is determined by looking at the estimated number of all eligible voters in Dane County. Voter turnout in the county for the 2008 presidential election is estimated by County Clerk Bob Olsen to be around 80 to 85 percent and 390,000 ballots have been ordered to guarantee that every eligible voter will be able to do so. Those ballots have been delivered across Dane County to towns, villages and cities to help local officials prepare for the election.
""Whether it's their first time or 50th time taking part in this great democratic tradition, we want to make sure people's voting experiences are as easy as they can be,"" Falk said. ""Given the huge interest we see in the presidential election, we are expecting the busiest polling places ever on Nov. 4.""
Olsen and Madison City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl said turnout is expected to be higher in certain wards. The UW-Madison campus is expected to draw a large number of voters, and officials will be able to transport ballots from lesser-used polling sites to those higher used locations.
It is still possible to vote early and beat the crowds on Election Day. Through Nov. 3, early and absentee voting hours will be held at the City Clerk's office Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
