Eau Claire’s Fair & Balanced Election

At certain regular points in any given year, Donna Austad’s life can get a little crazy. Lines. Crowds. Ballot initiatives. Usually around April — or in this case — November. It’s almost like the calendar is rigged.

But Austad – Eau Claire’s veteran City Clerk – is taking it all at two-thirds stride.

 “Turnout at Presidential elections for the past 20 years have ranged from 67% – 97% of ‘registered’ voters,” Austad said.  “Expect this year to be on the higher end.

At stake – not only the presidency, but a US Senator, numerous competitive state congressional seats, and a critical school board referendum. Whew! With Election Day still a couple of weeks away, how are things shaping up thus far, Donna?

“Short answer, as of noon Tuesday, we’ve had 3300 in-person absentees, in addition to 1200 ballots sent thru the mail. Long answer, it has been busy, but it is hard to get a true comparison.  In 2012, absentee voting was limited to the two weeks before Election Day; In 2008 and 2004, there was in-person absentee voting for about three weeks before the election.  This year we started in-person absentee voting Sept. 26, a full six weeks for Election Day.”

The privilege of voting, oddly, is seemingly not as cherished in the “Land of the Free,” as in other nations around the world. That’s borne out by the facts. Voter turnout in the US of A varies wildly  in national elections – from about 60% of the eligible national population during presidential election years, and about 40% bothering to vote during midterm elections.

According to The Pew Research Center the U.S. ranked 31st in turnout — by percentage of voting age population –when compared to 34 other developed countries. Nations like South Korea (80.4%), Israel (76.1%), Greece (62.1%), and even Mexico (64.6%) put us to shame by the poll numbers.

Still there’s something about voting for the man – or woman – at the top of the ticket that gets a mite more than half of us energized to drop our TV remotes or gaming controls and do our patriotic duty.

 “We will have a team of poll workers (people who will be working at voting sites on Election Day) who started Monday and will work the two weeks before the election to administer absentee voting,” said Austad.  “Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.   On Tuesday October 25 and October 31 and November 1, hours will be extended until 6:00 p.m.”

   And while it’s not the proper place of an election clerk to poll the mood of the electorate, enactments and enforcement of polling place rules can make for a tough crowd.

   “The majority of people coming in to vote absentee are positive.  Most people are coming in with acceptable PHOTO ID (most common forms are WISCONSIN DL or US PASSPORT).  Most people who are registering to vote are coming in with acceptable PROOF OF RESIDENCE (a document such as a utility bill with their CURRENT NAME and CURRENT ADDRESS such as a bill from Xcel, lease, bank statement).

  “We hope that in addition to their photo ID, voters will bring their patience on Election Day.  We have assigned every trained poll worker (500+) to work at our 20 voting sites.  With potentially 30,000 – 40,000 people casting a ballot on November 8, there may be lines at some sites at some times during the day. 

And while there has been some rather noisome braying about rampant fraud inherent in the election process, Austad assures us, in the exacting tones of someone who is heavily-invested in truth, accountability and accuracy, that we should all trust in the integrity of one of the most beloved and enduring cornerstones of democracy.

“Accusations of fraud and ‘rigged’ elections in Wisconsin are completely false and are very frustrating for anyone who actually works with the elections,” she said. “Elections in the City of Eau Claire, Eau Claire County and throughout the State of Wisconsin are administered fairly and honestly and with integrity.”

Steve Betchkal

CVCTV Eau Claire

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