Avoid confusion about election outcome by allowing early count

We were all frustrated at the slow pace of the return of election results. But it didn’t have to be this slow, or this confusing, Many in Wisconsin went to bed on election night seeing Donald Trump leading in Wisconsin, but woke up to find out Joe Biden had carried the state. That led some to claim voter fraud that spread quickly on social media, sowing confusion. There was a simple explanation for the sudden surge in Biden votes. Milwaukee’s totals, decidedly for Biden, weren’t released until early Wednesday morning, pushing Biden over the top. Clerks have been warning for years about this, and encouraging lawmakers to take action, but to no avail. Clerks in Wisconsin want the ability to start counting absentee ballots before election day. It is hardly a novel idea. Many states allow for the counting of absentee ballots before election day. In fact, Wisconsin is one of just four states where election workers are not allowed to process absentee votes early. Changing the law would have allowed clerks to finish counting absentee ballots at about the same time as in-person votes. We would have known who won more quickly and with more certainty. Wisconsin should join the majority of states and allow clerks to start counting absentee votes before election day.