Milwaukee Elections Commission Apologizes for Ballot Shortages Amid Historic Turnout

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WAUK) – The Milwaukee Elections Commission issued an apology Wednesday following ballot shortages at polling locations during Tuesday’s spring election. Historic voter turnout, driven by a state Supreme Court race, caused delays and long lines, with some voters waiting hours or leaving without casting their ballots.

In a statement, the commission acknowledged the inconvenience and pledged to adjust ballot estimates for future elections. “This turnout hasn’t been this sizeable since 2016, when over 52% of registered voters cast ballots,” the commission said. Officials noted that trends in Wisconsin elections are shifting and vowed to overestimate ballot needs moving forward.

Despite the challenges, the commission praised poll workers for their professionalism under pressure. “We are proud of the thousands of dedicated workers who demonstrated calm and poise in a stressful situation,” the statement read. The commission plans to conduct an assessment to prevent similar issues in upcoming elections.