Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution establishes potential in-person absentee voting locations for the 2021 Spring Primary and Election. The 2021 Adopted Budget includes $915,550 in funding for the Clerk’s Office for these elections.
Title
Establishing potential in-person absentee voting locations for the 2021 Spring Primary and Spring Election.
Body
WHEREAS, voting is both a right and the vital core of a healthy democracy; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has generated an increased interest in absentee voting, with 62.40% of ballots cast in the City of Madison General Election being absentee ballots; and
WHEREAS, voting by mail is not necessarily the best option for every voter; and
WHEREAS, the City is committed to facilitating the right to vote while minimizing the risk of exposure to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the goal of the Madison City Clerk's Office is that each eligible voter will be able to cast a ballot and have that ballot counted; and
WHEREAS, it is inequitable to limit in-person absentee voting to Madison residents who are able to obtain transportation and pay for parking downtown; and
WHEREAS, offering in-person absentee voting at multiple sites throughout the City may further racial equity for residents who have not historically been involved in the voting process;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Madison chooses to make in-person absentee voting more accessible and equitable by establishing multiple locations for in-person absentee voting, dependent on public safety considerations and the guidance of Public Health Madison & Dane County.
If facilities are open to the public and Public Health Madison & Dane County approves the safety precautions in place, the following in-person absentee voting locations may be used for the 2021 Spring Primary and Spring Election:
1. City Clerk's Office, 210 Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
2. Alicia Ashman Library, 733 N High Point Road
3. Goodman South Madison Library, 2222 S Park Street
4. Meadowridge Library, 5726 Raymond Road
5. Pinney Library, 516 Cottage Grove Road
6. UW-Madison Union South, 1308 W Dayton Street
7. UW-Madison Memorial Union, 800 Langdon Street
8. UW-Madison Student Activity Center, 333 E Campus Mall
9. UW-Madison Health Services Learning Center, 750 Highland Avenue
10. Blackhawk Church, 9620 Brader Way
11. Madison College Commercial Avenue Campus, 2125 Commercial Avenue
12. Madison College South Campus, 2429 Perry Street
13. Goodman Parks Maintenance Facility, 1402 Wingra Creek Parkway
14. Fleet Service, 4151 Nakoosa Trail
15. Olbrich Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave
16. Warner Park Community Recreation Center, 1625 Northport Drive
17. East Madison Community Center, 8 Straubel Court
18. The University Club, 803 State Street
19. Hillel at the University of Wisconsin, 611 Langdon Street
20. Edgewood College, 1000 Edgewood College Drive
If Public Health Madison & Dane County advises that curbside voting would be a safer option for voters, given the county's COVID-19 data and metrics, the Clerk's Office will work with other city agencies, community centers, the University of Wisconsin - Madison, Edgewood College, and places of worship to establish curbside voting locations throughout the City of Madison, weather permitting.