Voters turn out in droves in Kenosha County on Election Day
Voters across Kenosha County turned out at the polls in droves Tuesday, despite the wet, windy conditions outside.
Lines were steady at various polling locations Tuesday morning, including Kenosha's Northside Library, 1500 27th Ave., where lines were steady at 8:30 a.m. despite the rain.
Poll worker Danny Lamantia said the line extended out the door when the polls opened at 7 a.m.
Voting, he said, "is your duty, not a privilege. I love seeing all the people here voting. I served in the military, and voting is the least you can do. And if you don't vote, you can't complain."
A line of voters extended across the front of the Oribiletti Center in Lincoln Park, where voters waited under a roof overhang to stay dry.
Kathy Becker, the site's chief election inspector, said the crowd "has been steady all morning. It's nice to see a good turnout."
Voting, she said, "is how your voice is heard as a citizen of the United States. This is how we determine who leads our country."
The Somers Village Hall also saw a high turnout Tuesday morning.
"I think we'll see the biggest turnout in my lifetime for this election — and I'm 86 years old," said poll worker Mike Iselin.
Kenosha County Clerk Regi Waligora said there were some hiccups, including an issue with getting the tabulator up and running in the Town of Wheatland.
"There was not a problem with the tabulator, but more so a misunderstanding of the which codes needed to be entered," Waligora said. "This did not hinder the voter's ability to vote ... they were able to deposit their cast ballot into the secure locked ballot box on the tabulator. These ballots have now been counted through the tabulator."
Waligora also noted a complaint at a polling place in the city regarding the distance of the observer's area. The chairs were moved up two feet to meet the statutory requirements.
"I don't believe there was any ill intention here, as the polling place was not very large," Waligora said. "The issue was resolved and the complainant seemed genuinely pleased that her concerns were addressed."
By the afternoon, Waligora said the morning rush slowed down, but remained stay at most locations with no major issues.
"Many of (the county clerks') poll workers have commented they have never seen it this slow for a presidential election, but this is probably due to the above average number of absentee voters," she said.
Countywide, clerks have reported receiving more than the average number of election day registrations, Waligora said, along with an increase in poll observers compared to prior elections, "but things seem to be going well."
Waligora said another influx of voters was expected at 5 p.m. for those who chose to vote after work.
"I'm confident our poll workers will get these voters through as quick as they can," she said. "Today is a good day to exercise kindness to our neighbors, to those who have volunteered to serve our community."
Voters turn out in the rain for Election Day in Kenosha
