Opinion: Voting was a worry heading into election. Readers said they had smooth sailing.
Outside of Milwaukee deciding to rerun about 31,000 absentee ballots through a voting machine, there weren't any non-typical election issues reported in Wisconsin Tuesday.
Some polling places had long lines and people waiting to vote past 8 p.m. , when polls close, but that sometimes happens during high turnout elections.
Preliminary vote totals show Wisconsin had its most voters ever Tuesday, at least 100,000 more than 2020's record turnout of more than 3.3 million voters. The Wisconsin Elections Commission hasn't released final certified numbers from the 2024 general election.
Commission members and non-partisan civic groups worked to share factual information about the strength of Wisconsin's elections system to help bolster public confidence following repeated false claims about widespread voter fraud in the 2020 campaign.
Reader comments on the 2024 election: 'I'm no longer proud to be part of a country that elected that Trump twice'
As of 5 p.m. Thursday, 42 people took our 2024 election poll and survey . The majority of respondents said they voted early: 33% absentee by mail and 40% though early voting. Only 28% voted in-person on Election Day. Here are some comments about their experience of voting:
"My early voting experience was not difficult. I waited maybe 8 minutes at Serb Hall and once I got inside only 1-2 minutes passed before I was standing in front of an express voting machine. On Election Day, I worked at a Central Count location. Many law enforcement personnel, observers and media were present, adding to the charged atmosphere." — Catherine from Milwaukee
"Waited only about 30 minutes during mid-morning, which I did purposely to avoid the biggest lines. Very smooth and everyone was very calm and friendly." — Richard from Neenah
"100% enjoyable experience." — Pat from Arcadia, an Election Day voter
"My ballot was received quickly, and was returned just as fast. Good job USPS." — Asta from Milwaukee
"My town hall was ready for the flow of early voting." — Joe from Elkhorn
"I arrived a little before 6 p.m. and was out by 6:30 p.m. Everything went pretty fast." — Chad from Janesville
"Went perfectly. No issues whatsoever. It took less than 20 minutes." — Barry from Kenosha
"Very crowded when I arrived at 7 a.m., but things moved surprising fast. Poll workers did a great job." — Patrick from Milwaukee
"Very easy. I always vote absentee due to my health." — Lisa from Milwaukee
"I voted early and it was very easy. I only waited in line for about 5 minutes to get my ballot." — Colleen from Glendale
"Very easy. Glad Washington County gave municipal clerks funds for extended hours. Waited 2 minutes to vote early absentee in person before election day." — Ben from Hartford
"People were polite, my wait was short in New Berlin on Election Day." — Craig from New Berlin
"Waited in line 15 seconds." — Michael from Grafton, an Election Day voter
"I voted at 9 a.m. in Kimberly. The line was five minutes long. The poll workers, (Republican, Democrat, Independent) were all professional and welcoming. We make sure we tell them that we appreciate their dedication to a free election and their courage in being there. The poll watchers did not interfere or intimidate." — Stephen from Kimberly
"I went to Serb Hall and there was a line. There were some issues causing a slow down and was told that the wait would be two and a half hours. I returned a few days later around 6:30 in the evening and didn't have to wait." — Shelley from Milwaukee
"Fast, easy early voting." — Susan from Racine
Jim Fitzhenry is the Ideas Lab Editor/Director of Community Engagement for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Reach him at or 920-993-7154.
