Madison: Absentee Voting Begins Today in Care Facilities
Wisconsin Eagle/10298607

~ As the election draws near, the City of Madison has implemented a new initiative to ensure that all eligible voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots. In a press release issued today, it was announced that voters in qualified nursing homes and assisted living facilities will be able to vote via absentee ballot this week.

The City has set up ExpressVote ballot marking devices at its largest nursing homes, providing an accessible option for residents to mark their ballots privately and independently. These devices offer a touchscreen, large print, and high contrast features to accommodate different needs.

According to state law, poll workers are required to bring absentee voting to those who have requested it in certain nursing homes and care facilities. With 27 of these facilities in the city, a pair of Special Voting Deputies (SVDs) will visit each one twice before Election Day.

To ensure transparency and fairness, the dates and times of each SVD visit are posted at the facility and on the Clerk's Office website. This allows residents to plan ahead if they wish to have a family member present during the voting process. However, facility staff are not permitted to assist with marking the ballot.

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In addition, both the Republican Party and Democratic Party are allowed to send one observer each per facility visit if they notify the Clerk's Office in advance. No other observers are permitted.

The SVDs make every effort to connect with every resident who has requested an absentee ballot during their visits. The marked ballots are then sealed in an absentee envelope and returned directly to the City Clerk's Office in a courier bag with a tamper-evident seal bearing a unique serial number.

If a resident is unavailable during the first visit, SVDs will make another attempt during their second visit. After this second attempt, any remaining absentee voters will receive their ballots by mail from the Clerk's Office.

The ultimate goal of this initiative is for every eligible voter in these facilities to have their ballot counted. The City Clerk's Office is committed to ensuring that all voters have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote in a fair and accessible manner.

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