RACINE AND KENOSHA — Tuesday was a big day as early voting kicked off statewide in Wisconsin. TMJ4's crews saw big turnouts in two crucial southeastern Wisconsin counties, Racine and Kenosha.
No matter if you chose to walk in, or sit in your car, in Racine and Kenosha counties there is a way to vote early in Wisconsin.
“I chose early just in case something came up and I got COVID-19 on November third or something,” said Arlene, a voter in Kenosha’s drive-thru.
“It’s the safest for me,” said voter John Schubert, who said after seeing long lines in April being able to vote safely was the key.
“It’s easier than going to the polls. I’ve seen them on TV. They don’t look safe,” Shubert said.
His friend and former Racine mayor, John Dickert, helped him to the poll.
“For John, he wants to make sure he gets out somewhere safe, but he votes in every election,” Dickert said.
Kenosha only has one early voting site at the Kenosha Municipal Building, with walk-in and drive thru options.
Racine election officials said ten early voting sites have been set up for people to cast ballots, with curbside-and walk-in options.
Mayor Cory Mason says he’s happy to see so many people turning up early.
“It’s a really enormous turnout for us, so we’re really excited to are people are taking advantage to avoid long lines on Election Day,” Mason said.
On day one, each municipality served at least 700 voters by 2 p.m.
Kenosha and Racine counties picked the winner in the past two presidential elections.
President Barack Obama won both counties in 2012 as did President Donald Trump four years later.
President Trump edged out a 2016 win in Kenosha by just 238 votes.
Voting times Kenosha and Racine are below:
KENOSHA EARLY VOTING:
Location: Kenosha Municipal Building
Dates/Times for Early in-person voting: Tuesday, October 20 – Friday, October 23: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, October 24: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, October 25: Noon to 4 p.m. Monday, October 26 – Thursday, October 29: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, October 30: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
RACINE EARLY VOTING:
Locations:
- Regular Business Day Tuesday, October 20th – Friday, October 30th, 8 AM-5 PM
- Saturday, October 24th, 11 AM-3 PM
- Saturday, October 31th 11 AM-3 PM
- Sunday, November 1st, 10 AM-4 PM
Cesar Chavez Community Center- 2221 Douglas Ave
- Regular Business Day Tuesday, October 20th – Friday, October 30th, 9 AM-4 PM
Knapp Elementary- 2701 17th St
- Regular Business Day Tuesday, October 20th – Friday, October 30th, 9 AM-4 PM
Morning Locations
John Bryant Community Center-601 Caron Butler Dr.
- Regular Business Day Tuesday, October 20th – Friday, October 30th, 9 AM-12 PM
Roosevelt Elementary - 915 Romayne Ave
Regular Business Day Tuesday, October 20th – Friday, October 30th, 9 AM-12 PM
Humble Park Community Center- 2200 Blaine Ave
- Regular Business Day Tuesday, October 20th – Friday, October 30th, 9 AM-12 PM
Afternoon Locations
Tyler Domer Community Center- 2301 Twelfth Street
- Regular Business Day Tuesday, October 20th – Friday, October 30th, 1 PM-4 PM
Gilmore Elementary- 2330 Northwestern Ave
- Regular Business Day Tuesday, October 20th – Friday, October 30th, 1 PM-4 PM
Starbuck Middle School- 1516 Ohio St
Regular Business Day Tuesday, October 20th – Friday, October 30th, 1 PM-4 PM
Night Location
Gateway Technical College – 1001 Main St (back parking lot by Lake Michigan)
- Regular Business Day Tuesday, October 20th – Friday, October 30th, 4:30 PM-8:00 PM