Ballot boxes remain available to city residents for February primary

By Brandi Makuski

City residents wishing to vote absentee can use one of two ballot drop boxes for the spring primary.

A Waukesha County judge this month ruled that ballot drop boxes are illegal, but the ruling was blocked by the three-judge panel of the 4th District Court of Appeals, which noted the “confusion and possible disenfranchisement” of voters that could come because the drop box ruling was made during an election process that had already begun.

The appeals judges said dropboxes could be used for the Feb. 15 primary. Winners of the nonpartisan races next month advance to the spring general election in April.

Stevens Point City Clerk Kari Yenter on Friday said it wasn’t immediately clear if the drop boxes would be available for the general election, saying, “We’re waiting to hear what the state decides to do.”

One ballot drop box is located in front of the County-City Building, 1515 Strongs Ave. The other is at Dreyfus University Center, 1015 Reserve St.

• The primary will include a three-way race for Portage County Executive between incumbent Chris Holman and challengers Eric Olson and John Pavelski.
• The Stevens Point Area Public Board of Education is also on the Feb. primary. Nine candidates will compete for four open seats on the board. Incumbents Jeff Ebel, Barb Portzen, and Rob Manzke, are being challenged by newcomers Jennifer Bushman, Miguel Campos, Alex Sommers, Kari Prokop, Dennis Raabe, and Lisa Rychter. The top eight vote-earners will move on to the April ballot.
• One race for the Stevens Point Common Council will also be pared down in the primary. Incumbent Marc Christianson has been challenged by Gracia Day and Stephen Klein.
• The District 14 seat on the Portage Co. Board of Supervisors also has three candidates—Pat Keller, Edward H. Morganroth Jr., and Charles Grugel. One will be eliminated from the race on Feb. 15.

Both ballot drop boxes will be available to city residents until 5 p.m. on Feb. 14.

City residents must register to vote if they have never registered before, or if they have moved, if they have changed their name, or if they have not voted during the previous four years.

There are four ways to register to vote:

By Mail

Download the Voter Registration Application (PDF), complete the form and mail it to the City Clerk’s Office. The application must be postmarked no later than the 20th day (3rd Wednesday) before the election. You must also enclose a copy of your proof of residence.

By a Special Registration Deputy (SRD)

SRDs are trained volunteers that register voters at registration events that their organization coordinates. Voters will need to provide proof of residence. These events must happen no later than 20 days (3rd Wednesday) before the election. All registration forms must be filed with the Clerk’s office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 20th day (3rd Wednesday) before the election.

In-Person

Register in the City Clerk’s office up to 5 p.m. or the close of business, whichever is later, on the Friday before the election. An elector registering to vote in person in the Clerk’s office is required to present acceptable proof of residence as outlined.

At the Polling Place on Election Day

On Election Day the polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. If you wish to register at your polling place you will need to provide proof of residence.

The spring primary is on Feb. 15.