Working the Polls

Wisconsin state law dictates every polling station have at least three staff members. So while the number of polling places for the April 7 election was greatly reduced, those that did exist still needed staffing. Thousands of poll workers still fulfilled their duty and were joined by three hundred National Guards members that Governor Evers ordered to assist in the election. The soldiers were instructed to dress in civilian clothes and perform the same duties that the poll workers had been assigned.

There was even a scramble for protective gear for these election workers. The Wisconsin Election Commission pledged certain amount of supplies, such as 25,000 masks, paper towels, hand sanitizer, and plastic spray bottles. The state also donated a million pens so voters would not have to re-use writing equipment. But still, the election workers had to find their own way through the election chaos. Many relied on themselves as a network to share do-it-yourself ideas on how to make makeshift PPE for the election day. Some strategies that were employed include, procuring sheets of plexiglass to protect against coughs and sneezes and using saran wrap. Here, Milwaukee poll worker Lee Wagner shares her experience working on election day.