This week, every City of Milwaukee household will receive a SafeVote postcard with information to safely vote from home.
The postcard will encourage absentee voting by mail, along with information on how to register to vote and request your ballot online.
“We are beginning the necessary education and outreach far in advance of the Aug. 11 election to ensure everyone has the opportunity, resources and assistance to vote absentee and stay home on Election Day," Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said.
Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, who authored the SafeVote program, said, “The circumstances around the April election forced thousands to choose between exercising their right to vote and possibly endangering their health. Steps needed to be taken to ensure voters don’t have to face this choice again.”
Absentee voting requests have heavily increased since the onset of COVID-19, to date the Milwaukee Elections Committee has received over 60,000 ballot requests for the August Election and over 50,000 requests for the November General Election.
The SafeVote plan has also expanded the amount of physical absentee ballot drop-off locations and plans to continue their expansion for the November Election.