No excuse for not voting

The time to exercise your right has now begun. Starting today, early voting for the November 8 election begins in La Crosse County. That gives us three weeks to cast a ballot at our convenience. And it gives us little excuse for not bothering to cast a ballot. You don’t need a reason to vote early, or by absentee. Any Wisconsin voter who wants to vote early at their local clerk’s office, or by mail, has the right to do so. We have seen in recent elections the increased popularity of early voting. It makes it more convenient, especially if there is a chance we won’t be able to make it to the polls on November 8th. But voting early to avoid long lines at the polls doesn’t guarantee you won’t still have to stand in line. It is not uncommon for people to have to line up to vote early. You will still have to show a photo ID when voting early. And if you choose to vote absentee, you will need to ensure the witness fills in their address, or it will be thrown out under a new state law. If you aren’t sure where you vote, or have any questions about the election process, this is a good time to contact your local clerk, who will be happy to help. So if it is more convenient for you, feel free to vote today. It is your right, and it should be exercised.