City of La Crosse cutting back on polling locations for April 7 election; absentee ballot requests extended through 5 p.m. Friday

La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat on Thursday issued a State of Emergency for the City of La Crosse in regards to the April 7 elections, while a Federal Judge has extended the deadline to request an absentee ballot in the state, and when it can be returned.

There will now be just eight polling places in La Crosse April 7, as the city grapples with how to safely handle election duties in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Absentee ballots can be obtained through 5 p.m. Friday, according to U.S. District Court Judge William Conley. He also extended the deadline for those to be returned to 4 p.m. April 13, with no requirement the ballots be postmarked by election day.

You can make a request for an absentee ballot in writing or online at MyVote.wi.gov. More information from the city of La Crosse on voting absentee can be found here.

To vote absentee in person, go to the La Crosse City Clerk’s Office between noon – 5 p.m. Friday.

The judge also lifted a witness requirement for absentee ballot applications, writing that voters can provide a written affirmation that they could not safely obtain a witness signature due to coronavirus fears.

The city says the reduction from 13 sites to eight is to help protect citizens, poll workers and staff while trying to maintain an easily accessible and fair election process. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

“Although the City of La Crosse has worked non-stop to ensure a fair, convenient and accessible election and incorporated a number of safety measures to protect our citizens, poll workers and staff during in-person absentee voting and is planning for additional measures on April 7th, more needs to be done,” the city posted on Facebook.

The locations and corresponding districts are as follows:

Site District
Black River Beach Neighborhood Center 1,2
English Lutheran Church 4
UWL Rec Center 5,3,7,11
La Crosse Public Library 6
Coulee Recovery Center 8,9
South Community Library 10
Spence Elementary School 12
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 13

More info on polling changes:
◼ District 2, Harry J. Olson Senior Citizen Center, 1607 North Street, has been moved to Black River Beach Neighborhood Center, 1433 Rose Street, La Crosse.
◼ District 3, Myrick Park Center, 789 Myrick Park Drive, has been moved to UW-L Recreational Eagle Center at 15th Street & Farwell Street, La Crosse.
◼ District 5 UW-L Student Union, 521 East Avenue North, has been moved to UW-L Recreational Eagle Center at 15th Street & Farwell Street, La Crosse.
◼ District 7, Hogan Administrative Center, 807 East Avenue South, has been moved to UW-L Recreational Eagle Center at 15th Street & Farwell Street, La Crosse.
◼ District 9, Southside Neighborhood Center, 1300 6th Street South, has been moved to the Coulee Recovery Center, 933 Ferry Street, La Crosse.
◼ District 11 Living Word Christian Church, 2015 Ward Avenue, has been moved to UW-L Recreational Eagle Center at 15th Street & Farwell Street, La Crosse.