We Need to Open Up Saturday Voting in Ozaukee

Letter to the Editor by Sam Krieg

Wisconsin law allows two weeks of in-person absentee voting and gives our local municipal clerks the authority to set the dates and times for that voting. Unfortunately, most of our municipalities only allow in-person absentee voting Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. And if you live in Belgium, you can only vote by appointment—which is crazy, but not the main point of this letter.

Currently, only the Village of Saukville offers early in-person voting hours on a Saturday during the two-week period before Election Day. I urge all municipal clerks across Ozaukee County to follow Saukville’s example and open up Saturday voting opportunities.

For many working-class residents, the traditional weekday voting schedule poses a real challenge. Between long work hours, commutes, and family obligations, it’s not always possible to make it to the clerk’s office during the week. Allowing even a few hours of Saturday early voting would make a meaningful difference—especially for those who want to fulfill their civic duty without sacrificing their livelihood. 

Expanding access to Saturday voting would not only improve participation but also ease the burden on Election Day itself. More flexible voting hours mean shorter lines, smoother operations, and a stronger reflection of the community’s will.

Our local clerks already do tremendous work ensuring efficient and secure elections. By adding Saturday early voting, they can continue that legacy of service and help ensure that every voice in Ozaukee County is heard.