I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone.  I want to thank all the voters that showed up on election day for their patients and understanding.  My election team really appreciated all the thank yous and appreciation the voters showed them.  Thank you to all the absentee voters for learning how to request an absentee ballot and your patients with the system.  We had over 700 people that were mailed an absentee ballot.  

Thanks to my entire election team.  Those that chose to work and those that chose not to.  It was a difficult and emotional decision for everyone and the struggle you all went through was understandable and appreciated.  Thank you to those that were not part of the original team but came forward and volunteered to help in this difficult time.  We had many volunteers and asked a number of them to help out.  Their contribution to our effort was impressive and I hope all of you will consider becoming a part of our regular election team!

Thanks to Duane Jorgenson who is the head of the Rock County Public Works Department and his team of employees.  He organized delivery of the personal protection equipment to all the polling locations in Rock County and many of his team volunteered to help at different polling locations on election day. 

Thanks to the County Clerk Lisa Tollefson (yes she is my wife) but no matter, she arranged production, purchasing and distribution of the personal protection equipment such as face shields, face masks and sanitizer from local facilities like Prent who is making face shields and she did much more with communication with all Clerks.

Thanks to all the Clerks in Rock County.  Rock Counties Clerks are a team and everyone shared ideas with one another as to what safety protocols they were putting in place. 

Thanks to the Wisconsin National Guard.  While we did not take advantage of their offer for assistance in Harmony, where they did help, the Clerks said their contribution was incredible and appreciated.

Last but certainly not least a thank you and my gratitude go to Lucille Vickerman (Chief Inspector) and Linda Zainer (Deputy Chief) for all the work they did during the month or better leading up to election day.  They are both true leaders of the election team.  What was done could not have been done without them.  THANK YOU!!!!

There were so many offers from the pubic, the board and outside oranizations to help, so a blanket thank you to everyone that offered to help.  Lets hope this is the last time we ever have to run an election this way and lets hope that everything gets back to normal as quickly as possible.  I would rather see a smile on peoples faces than a face mask.  

Thanks

Tim (Tolly) Tollefson

Clerk

Updated at 9:45pm on April 6th.  

The US Supreme Court this evening ordered that all outstanding absentee ballots must be post marked by April 7th or hand delivered to the polling location by 8pm on election day.  This was a change from what was announced over the weekend where they did not indicated a post marked date.  

This election is kind of like the weather in Wisconsin, give it 10 minutes and it’s going to change.

We have worked hard to the the Town Hall set up to be a safe location to vote.  We believe that we have done what is possible to minimize cross contamination.  However we are working on a skeleton crew at this point and we must limit the number of people that can be in the building.  This may cause lines and extended waiting periods.  Due to running on a skeleton crew we also must minimize the amount of curbside voting.  Wait periods for this may be quite extensive as we have only enough staff on hand to run the inside polls.  Only when we have no one waiting inside can we send a team of 2 people out for this.  Curbside voting also takes 10 minutes or more and to be honest there is a greater chance of cross conamination when do this then just coming in to vote. Either way this will be an election to remember and hopefully one that will not get repeated.  Stay safe!

Updated at 8:00pm April 2

Date:             April 2, 2020

Subject:        Federal Court Order Affects Spring Election – Absentee Ballot Request and Receipt Deadlines Extended; Witness Signature Requirement Modified

This afternoon, Judge William Conley of the Western District of Wisconsin federal court has issued an order related to absentee ballots for next week’s Spring Election and Presidential Preference Primary.  The Court ordered the following:

1)      The deadline for the receipt of absentee ballots is extended to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2020.  The Court specifically did not add a requirement for a postmarked-by deadline as long as the ballot is returned by the new deadline.

2)      The deadline for receipt of absentee ballot requests by mail, fax or email (and if deemed administratively feasible in the sole discretion of the WEC Administrator, online) is extended to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2020. 

3)      A witness signature on the absentee ballot certificate envelope is not required if the absentee voter provides a written affirmation or other statement that they were unable to safely obtain a witness certification despite reasonable attempts to do so, provided the ballot is otherwise valid.

Judge Conley’s decision was issued in a set of three federal lawsuits which were consolidated and which requested various remedies related to the Spring Election.  The decision did not grant other requests such as postponing the election date or suspending and photo ID requirements for mail-in absentee voters 

This will be an election I don’t think we will forget for a long time.  While this is not an awards show I do want to thank some people and when you see these people you all need to thank them.  First I want to thank Lucille Vickerman who is our Chief Election Inspector who has been working tirelessly for the last month or better to ensure this election is planned out. Lucille has been staying in constant contact with all of our election inspectors.  Working by her side is Linda Zainer the assistant Chief inspector.  The work they have done is more than appreciated and I can’t thank them enough.  When you see them be sure to thank them (from a distance) for all the work they are doing.  I also want to thank the entire team of election inspectors whether they have stepped back from this election or not.  The decision to as to whether to work this election or not has been a very stessful decision for everyone. 

And thanks to everyone that voted absentee.  We are just over 700 absentee voters and about 80% of those are first time absentee.  For those, it will be much easier to request and absentee in the future should they need to.  On the subject of absentee.  If you have not mailed your ballot here are other options to return your absentee.  You can return these to my office at the town hall.  You can slide them under the door, as this is where my mail is delivered.  The office building is open Weekdays 7am to 4pm.  OR  I have have a box at my house.  At the bottom of my driveway there is a tan box located on the fence Next to the gate that goes into my basement.  I check this box several times a day.  My address is 5818 N Kennedy Road. 

As stated earlier, this will be an election to remember.  I want to give you a glimps of what election day will be like.  The hall is not set up as usual.  There will only be one line.  We are working on a skeleton crew so I would expect lines, not due so to the amount of people but due to the fact that we must limit the amount of people in the town hall and in the hallway to the town hall, so at times I would expect to stand outside.  Do your best not to touch anything and we have done what we can to keep touching of anything to a minimum.  When you show your ID please DO NOT hand it to the election inspector.  Please hold it so they can see it and state your name and address.   Everyone must use the front door of the building and exit out the back door of the building.  There will be Xs taped on the floor to stand on.  Couples will be required to stand separatly on the Xs because we must limit the amount of people in the building.  If at all possible please don’t bring children.   There will be signs going down the hallway to the town hall that everyone should read.  They give direction and are a good reminder of what to do and what not to do.  We have put up plexiglas sneeze guards.  We will prop all doors open to minimize cross contamination.  We will be cleaning and sanitizing all day long. We will be breaking hourly or more, for all election workers to wash hands.  Here is something I never thought I would have to warn people of, the possibility of a stronger smell of sanitizers in the building. 

We have done what ever we can to minimize the possiblity of the spread of Covid-19 and with everyone’s cooperation we will keep everyone safe.  Should anything change over the next days I will post updates.

Thanks

Tim Tollefson

Clerk 

Updated at 8:00pm April 2

Date:             April 2, 2020

Subject:        Federal Court Order Affects Spring Election – Absentee Ballot Request and Receipt Deadlines Extended; Witness Signature Requirement Modified

This afternoon, Judge William Conley of the Western District of Wisconsin federal court has issued an order related to absentee ballots for next week’s Spring Election and Presidential Preference Primary.  The Court ordered the following:

1)      The deadline for the receipt of absentee ballots is extended to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2020.  The Court specifically did not add a requirement for a postmarked-by deadline as long as the ballot is returned by the new deadline.

2)      The deadline for receipt of absentee ballot requests by mail, fax or email (and if deemed administratively feasible in the sole discretion of the WEC Administrator, online) is extended to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2020. 

3)      A witness signature on the absentee ballot certificate envelope is not required if the absentee voter provides a written affirmation or other statement that they were unable to safely obtain a witness certification despite reasonable attempts to do so, provided the ballot is otherwise valid.

Judge Conley’s decision was issued in a set of three federal lawsuits which were consolidated and which requested various remedies related to the Spring Election.  The decision did not grant other requests such as postponing the election date or suspending and photo ID requirements for mail-in absentee voters 

This will be an election I don’t think we will forget for a long time.  While this is not an awards show I do want to thank some people and when you see these people you all need to thank them.  First I want to thank Lucille Vickerman who is our Chief Election Inspector who has been working tirelessly for the last month or better to ensure this election is planned out. Lucille has been staying in constant contact with all of our election inspectors.  Working by her side is Linda Zainer the assistant Chief inspector.  The work they have done is more than appreciated and I can’t thank them enough.  When you see them be sure to thank them (from a distance) for all the work they are doing.  I also want to thank the entire team of election inspectors whether they have stepped back from this election or not.  The decision to as to whether to work this election or not has been a very stessful decision for everyone. 

And thanks to everyone that voted absentee.  We are just over 700 absentee voters and about 80% of those are first time absentee.  For those, it will be much easier to request and absentee in the future should they need to.  On the subject of absentee.  We are getting close to election day and as of today, your ballot must be returned to me no later then 8pm on election day.  Should that change, I will post an update.  So if you have not mailed your ballot here are other options to return your absentee.  You can return these to my office at the town hall.  You can slide them under the door, as this is where my mail is delivered.  The office building is open Weekdays 7am to 4pm.  OR  I have have a box at my house.  At the bottom of my driveway there is a tan box located on the fence by the gate that goes into my basement.  I check this box several times a day.  My address is 5818 N Kennedy Road. 

As stated earlier, this will be an election to remember.  I want to give you a glimps of what election day will be like.  The hall is not set up as usual.  There will only be one line.  We are working on a skeleton crew so I would expect lines, not due so to the amount of people but due to the fact that we must limit the amount of people in the town hall and in the hallway to the town hall, so at times I would expect to stand outside.  Do your best not to touch anything and we have done what we can to keep touching of anything to a minimum.  When you show your ID please DO NOT hand it to the election inspector.  Please hold it so they can see it and state your name and address.   Everyone must use the front door of the building and exit out the back door of the building.  There will be Xs taped on the floor to stand on.  Couples will be required to stand separatly on the Xs because we must limit the amount of people in the building.  If at all possible please don’t bring children.   There will be signs going down the hallway to the town hall that everyone should read.  They give direction and are a good reminder of what to do and what not to do.  We have put up plexiglas sneeze guards.  We will prop all doors open to minimize cross contamination.  We will be cleaning and sanitizing all day long. We will be breaking hourly or more, for all election workers to wash hands.  Here is something I never thought I would have to warn people of, the possibility of a stronger smell of sanitizers in the building. 

We have done what ever we can to minimize the possiblity of the spread of Covid-19 and with everyone’s cooperation we will keep everyone safe.  Should anything change over the next days I will post updates.

Thanks

Tim Tollefson

Clerk 

This will be an election I don’t think we will forget for a long time.  While this is not an awards show I do want to thank some people and when you see these people you all need to thank them.  First I want to thank Lucille Vickerman who is our Chief Election Inspector who has been working tirelessly for the last month or better to ensure this election is planned out. Lucille has been staying in constant contact with all of our election inspectors.  Working by her side is Linda Zainer the assistant Chief inspector.  The work they have done is more than appreciated and I can’t thank them enough.  When you see them be sure to thank them (from a distance) for all the work they are doing.  I also want to thank the entire team of election inspectors whether they have stepped back from this election or not.  The decision to as to whether to work this election or not has been a very stessful decision for everyone. 

And thanks to everyone that voted absentee.  We are just over 700 absentee voters and about 80% of those are first time absentee.  For those, it will be much easier to request and absentee in the future should they need to.  On the subject of absentee.  We are getting close to election day and as of today, your ballot must be returned to me no later then 8pm on election day.  Should that change, I will post an update.  So if you have not mailed your ballot here are other options to return your absentee.  You can return these to my office at the town hall.  You can slide them under the door, as this is where my mail is delivered.  The office building is open Weekdays 7am to 4pm.  OR  I have have a box at my house.  At the bottom of my driveway there is a tan box located on the fence by the gate that goes into my basement.  I check this box several times a day.  My address is 5818 N Kennedy Road. 

As stated earlier, this will be an election to remember.  I want to give you a glimps of what election day will be like.  The hall is not set up as usual.  There will only be one line.  We are working on a skeleton crew so I would expect lines, not due so to the amount of people but due to the fact that we must limit the amount of people in the town hall and in the hallway to the town hall, so at times I would expect to stand outside.  Do your best not to touch anything and we have done what we can to keep touching of anything to a minimum.  When you show your ID please DO NOT hand it to the election inspector.  Please hold it so they can see it and state your name and address.   Everyone must use the front door of the building and exit out the back door of the building.  There will be Xs taped on the floor to stand on.  Couples will be required to stand separatly on the Xs because we must limit the amount of people in the building.  If at all possible please don’t bring children.   There will be signs going down the hallway to the town hall that everyone should read.  They give direction and are a good reminder of what to do and what not to do.  We have put up plexiglas sneeze guards.  We will prop all doors open to minimize cross contamination.  We will be cleaning and sanitizing all day long. We will be breaking hourly or more, for all election workers to wash hands.  Here is something I never thought I would have to warn people of, the possibility of a stronger smell of sanitizers in the building. 

We have done what ever we can to minimize the possiblity of the spread of Covid-19 and with everyone’s cooperation we will keep everyone safe.  Should anything change over the next days I will post updates.

Thanks

Tim Tollefson

Clerk