Election brings change

Heading to the polls Tuesday is going to be a different this time around.

Several polling locations have changed in the city of Superior. Voting laws have changed. Even the districts where many residents live have changed as the Douglas County Board reduces its ranks by seven members. Voters may even need to prove who they are with photo identification before they can cast their ballot. And remember to have a pen handy.

The Voter Photo ID bill is under court injunctions and photo ID is not required to vote; however, appeals have been filed, and the situation could change before the election, said City Clerk Terri Kalan.

Voters will be required to sign the poll book before being issued a ballot, unless a disability prevents them from physically capable of signing the book.

Residency requirements have changed as well, from 10 days to 28 consecutive days in the district. Voters can no longer use a corroborating witness to register to vote.

People may register and vote in person in the City Clerk’s Office through 5 p.m. today, but no office registration or absentee voting is permitted Saturday, Sunday or Monday immediately prior to the election.

The biggest change for city residents is the council’s decision to consolidate polling locations.

While residents of the 5th, 7th and 9th Districts will vote where they did before, voters living in other districts throughout the city will be heading to the polls in new locations.

Voters in the 5th and 7th Districts who vote at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, and those in the 9th who vote at Billings Park Civic Center will continue to vote in those locations. Residents of the 8th District who voted at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church will also vote at the Billings Park Civic Center.

Other changes in city polling locations will have people who voted at Bryant Elementary School and Wessman Arena voting at the Richard I. Bong Airport, 4804 Hammond Ave.; Belgian Club and Christ Lutheran Church voters casting ballots at Zion Lutheran Church, 2022 E. Second St.; and voters who cast ballots at the Government Center and Peter Rich Community Center voting at the Salvation Army, 916 Hughitt Ave.

Rural residents of Douglas County will continue to cast their ballots at their usual polling locations. Residents living in the villages cast their votes in their community at the Lake Nebagamon Auditorium, village halls in Oliver, Poplar and Superior, and the Solon Springs Community Center.

Polling locations are at town halls in most rural communities except in Maple and Oakland. Ballots are cast at the community center in Maple and at the fire hall/town garage in Oakland. For more information, visit www.douglascountywi.org/index.aspx?NID=140 or call the municipal clerk in your community.

Voters can confirm their polling location and view a sample ballot at Voter Public Access https://vpa.wi.gov, or call the City Clerk’s Office at (715) 395-7200 with questions.

Tags: news, politics