Fox Point, Bayside Fully Equipped for Election Day
Candidates say it's all about turnout, and both village clerks say they're ready to go.
After weeks of going door-to-door, volunteers tirelessly making phone calls day after day, and both candidates shaking hands and smiling for interviews, Election Day has arrived.
Beginning 7 a.m. Tuesday, voters will hit the polls to choose between incumbent Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and her challenger, Rep. Sandy Pasch (D-Whitefish Bay).
For weeks, both have been filling Facebook with 'thanks you's' and photos, and tweeting about events information and election details in an effort to find the last few votes.
While each has drastically different viewpoints on government, they both agree on one thing, it's all about turnout for this election, and both Fox Point and Bayside village clerks agree, it's going to be one busy day Tuesday.
"It's been very busy for a special election," Tanya O'Malley, Fox Point village clerk said. "This level of office often will bring out voters."
O'Malley said of the 623 absentee ballots that have been issued. There are 4,975 registered voters in Fox Point, with a 12.3 percent turnout so far.
And it's a similar story in Bayside.
"Judging by the amount of people calling (Monday), trying to still vote, I think that it's going to be a large turnout because a lot of people couldn't vote today like they wanted to," Lynn Galyardt, Bayside's director of finance and administration said.
On Monday, Galyardt said she received roughly 10 phone calls, and had to turn away two or three people came in hoping to file absentee ballots. "Those people were the hard ones, they were upset because I had to tell them no," she said.
Bayside, which includes residents in both Milwaukee County and a small part of Ozaukee County, has a total of 3,176 registered voters. Galyardt said Bayside has sent out 15 absentee ballots in Ozaukee County, with 14 returned, as well as 401 absentee ballots issued in Milwaukee County, with 367 returned.
When you go to the polls on Tuesday, expect to see a few changes in procedures, as the new voter identification law will be partially implemented. Here are key changes that will be in effect Tuesday:
- Voters will be asked, but are not required to provide a photo ID. However, beginning in 2012 a voter must provide ID in order to vote.
- Any voter not able to provide a photo ID in 2011 will be given a handout that has been created by the state Government Accountability Board.
- Voters must sign the poll list when voting before they can receive a ballot.
- The residency requirement has changed from 10 days prior to Election Day to 28 consecutive days prior to Election Day.
- A voter can no longer use a corroborating witness when registering to vote.
- University and college students can establish residency for registration by using the combination of a college ID with a photo and a fee payment receipt dated no earlier than nine months before the election.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.. Here are the polling places in Fox Point and Bayside:
- Bayside residents can vote at Bayside Middle School, 601 E. Ellsworth Ln. Please use the Standish Place entrance.
- Fox Point residents can vote at either the Fox Point Police Department, 7300 N. Santa Monica Blvd., or the Longacre Pavilion, 7343 N. Longacre Rd.
If you're not sure where to vote or whether you're registered, check out the state's Voter Public Access web site. You also can find a sample ballot on the site.
Mira Bluesky
8:08 am on Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Those registering to vote today only need to check a box confirming they have resided at their current address for 28 days. They do not need to prove it. They do need to provide proof of where they reside. They do not need to provide a voter ID if they don't have one. They can substitute the last 4 digits of their SS # or check a box saying they do not have any ID.
John Parkes
8:25 am on Tuesday, August 9, 2011
If you want to be governed by corporations, are very wealthy or don’t care about anyone else you may want to vote for Alberta. Remember that Alberta says $250,000 is not wealthy. If you want a government by and for people with a society that includes a middle class you will be voting for Sandy.
Bewildered
9:10 am on Tuesday, August 9, 2011
What she really said was $250,000 Includes small business with a total revenue ( gross, not net) of $250K and that we must help them survive with tax incentives, or be prepared for them to shut down. Sounds like job protecting/creating to me.