On first day of early voting, Wisconsinites cast more than 97k ballots in 'unheard of turnout'

More than 97,000 Wisconsin voters turned out on the first day of early in-person absentee voting Tuesday, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

Elections Commission Chairwoman Ann Jacobs posted on X Tuesday night that so many people voted that it overloaded the state computer system and prompted the need for more server space.

"We apologize for underestimating the incredible enthusiasm you all have for voting," she wrote. "This is unheard of turnout for the first day of in-person absentee voting!! All is well in our WisVote system and you should be able to vote without a problem."

In a statement, the Elections Commission said higher-than-expected turnout Tuesday caused a slowdown in the system some clerks use to print a label that can be placed on the outside of the envelopes into which in-person absentee ballots are inserted.

The same information can be written on the envelopes with a pen, according to the statement.

"Today’s system lag was purely related to demands on the WisVote system due to high turnout," the Elections Commission said in the statement. "This should not prevent any voter’s ability to vote in-person absentee today. WEC staff worked quickly to increase system capacity to ensure that clerks can continue to facilitate in-person absentee voting efficiently."

In November 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, just under 80,000 absentee ballots were cast across the state on the first day of early voting, according to the Elections Commission.

This year is different not just because the global health emergency is no longer a factor but also because Republicans are encouraging their supporters to vote absentee.

On the ballot are races for president, U.S. Senate, Congressional seats and a host of local offices. Election Day is Nov. 5.

On the first day of early voting in Wisconsin's largest city, residents turned out in numbers that caused lines to form at early voting locations.

Between the 4,761 people who voted early in-person and the 248 who dropped off their already-completed absentee ballots at the city's 10 sites, more than 5,000 absentee ballots were collected during Milwaukee's early in-person absentee voting Tuesday.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson said in a statement that the turnout "reflects an enthusiasm about this fall's elections and is an encouraging sign that this city's voice will be heard in the local, statewide, and national races."

Even before early voting began, the city Election Commission had mailed more than 44,000 absentee ballots and received 23,415 in return.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

Alison Dirr can be reached at [email protected]. Mary Spicuzza can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: On first day of early voting, Wisconsin sees 'unheard of turnout'