Wisconsin Voters Move Away From Mail Ballots
Wisconsin voters have requested about 20% fewer mail ballots than at the same point in 2022, and those who received them are returning them more slowly. Some voters cited Postal Service delays and distrust of mail voting, prompting election officials to adjust staffing and early-voting hours. The shift is moving more voters toward in-person absentee voting ahead of the midterms.
Wisconsin has seen roughly one-fifth fewer mail-ballot applications than by the comparable date in 2022. Returned-ballot rates are also lagging: 51.5% of issued mail ballots had come back by Tuesday, versus 55.5% four years earlier. The pattern appears in 63 of 72 counties, where a smaller share had been returned than at the same stage previously.
In New Berlin, the clerk reported 25–30 mail-ballot requests daily, down from 75–100 in prior elections, while early in-person absentee voting stayed busy. Officials now urge voters to mail ballots back two weeks before Election Day rather than one, reflecting slower delivery and voter distrust.
The shift could affect voters who depend on mail for convenience or access, as well as clerks managing staffing and early-voting hours. If distrust and delivery concerns persist, more people may choose in-person absentee voting, potentially lengthening lines and increasing demand for early-voting resources. It may also reduce reliance on postal delivery, though it could create barriers for those who cannot easily vote in person.