For Immediate Release
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced Tuesday that the City’s 14 absentee ballot drop boxes have all been unlocked and are ready to receive completed absentee ballots for the August primary.
“I want to thank the State Supreme Court for recognizing that drop boxes are a safe and secure method of voting in Wisconsin,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway at an Aug. 6 press conference. “We want to make sure that every eligible voter who wants to vote in the August primary and the November general election is able to do so.”
Joining the Mayor at the press conference were Deputy Clerk Jim Verbick, Lisa Hassenstab and Anna Anderson from Disability Rights Wisconsin, and Sam Liebert from All Voting is Local.
"Today, marks an important milestone, not just for Wisconsin, but for the City of Madison. The return of drop boxes is a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to ensure that every citizen has a secure and accessible way to participate in our democracy," said Liebert. "Wisconsin's 1,800 election clerksserve communities both large and small. They understand the unique needs of voters and they know that drop boxes are an invaluable tool in making voting more accessible, especially in our rural areas, where distances and limited hours can pose significant challenges."
Anderson said the return of drop boxes is especially important for people with disabilities.
"For some voters with disabilities, voting absentee is their only option to cast a ballot," said Anderson. "Drop boxes help voters with disabilities have an equal opportunity to return their ballot in a safe and secure way."
Absentee ballot drop boxes were critical for many residents to safely vote during the pandemic. Today, Madison reinstated this commonsense option to provide more accessibility to the ballot.
“In Madison, removing barriers that prevent people from voting is one of the essential services our city government provides to its residents,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway. “Just like public safety, trash collection, and snow plowing — administering a fair and secure election isn’t about partisan politics. It’s about believing in our democracy and making sure everyone can participate.”
With just one week before the August primary, the newly opened drop boxes allow voters to avoid delays associated with mailing back an absentee ballot. The U.S Postal Service recommends mailing back your ballot no later than one week prior to an election. In order for your ballot to be counted, it must arrive at the Clerk’s Office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
“Voters can ensure their absentee ballot is counted by using the drop boxes up until the Monday before the election,” instructed Madison Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl. “The absentee ballot drop boxes are located across the city outside Madison fire stations and at the Elver Park shelter. Staff from the Clerk’s Office collect absentee ballots daily and they are processed promptly.”
Additionally, there’s a QR code on every drop box that allows voters to track their absentee ballot via the myvote.wi.gov website.
The Clerk’s Office is also hosting early voting opportunities throughout the community now through August 11. You can also bring an absentee ballot to your polling place on Election Day. If you have moved recently or need to register to vote, you can do so at the City’s in-person absentee voting events up until Friday, August 9. Your last opportunity to register to vote is at your polling place on Election Day. Remember to bring a valid Wisconsin ID and proof of address. You can find your polling place at myvote.wi.gov.
Location of Madison’s absentee ballot drop boxes:
Fire Station 1: 316 W Dayton Street
- Box is located just east of the main driveway.
Fire Station 2: 421 Grand Canyon Drive
- Box is located on the west side of Grand Teton Pkwy before the station’s back driveway.
Fire Station 3: 1217 Williamson Street
- Box is located by a small garden just outside the station’s front door. Walk-up traffic only.
Fire Station 4: 1437 Monroe Street
- Box is located just east of the driveway right across from the badger at Camp Randall, beneath the Madison: Solar America City sign.
Fire Station 5: 4418 Cottage Grove Road
- Box is located on Atlas Ave. between the bus stop and the station’s back driveway.
Fire Station 6: 825 W Badger Road
- Box is located behind the station on the west side of Perry St. just south of Madison College driveway.
Fire Station 8: 3945 Lien Road
- Box is located east of the station on the east side of Parkside Dr.
Fire Station 9: 201 N Midvale Boulevard
- Box is located behind the station on the west side of Meadow Ln.
Fire Station 10: 1517 Troy Drive
- Box is located on the north side of the station near the intersection of Troy Dr. and Hanover St.
Fire Station 11: 4011 Morgan Way
- Box is located behind the station on the east side of Crossing Place between the station driveway and intersection of Crossing Pl. and Nelson Rd.
Fire Station 12: 400 South Point Road
- Box is located just north of the station on South Point Rd. near the intersection of South Point Rd. and Briar Haven Dr.
Fire Station 13: 6350 Town Center Drive
- Box is located just east of the station driveway on the northside of Town Center Dr.
Fire Station 14: 3201 Dairy Drive
- Box is located just north of the station driveway near the intersection of Dairy Dr. and Prairie Dock Dr.
Elver Park Shelter: 1250 McKenna Boulevard.
