Same-day voter registration advisory referendum goes to voters on April 2, 2013
Statement from Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs January 15, 2013
Today the Common Council voted 11 to 4 to place an advisory referendum question on continuing same-day voter registration on the April 2, 2013 spring general election ballot. The measure, which I sponsored and which was co-sponsored by eight of my Council colleagues (Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderman Willie C. Wade, Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderman Willie L. Hines, Jr., Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderman Tony Zielinski, and Alderman Joe Davis, Sr.), will now go to Mayor Tom Barrett for his signature.
I am pleased that the question of same-day registration will go before Milwaukee voters on April 2, because I truly believe that residents understand and appreciate how important it is. Same day registration has been in place in the State of Wisconsin for the last 36 years (since 1974). There were more than 54,000 same day registrations in the City of Milwaukee for the November 6, 2012 Presidential Election. In Milwaukee, that represented nearly 20% of all voters, or one in five voters.
Same day registration is extremely important for college students, and Milwaukee’s highest same day registration wards are those surrounding college and university campuses, particularly, UWM, Marquette and MSOE. Renters and people in poverty, often due to economic challenges, also are among those who most often utilize same day registration. So the question is now up to voters, and I encourage everyone to get out and vote on April 2, 2013.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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