Election Commission outlines 2026 in-person absentee sites, Midtown temporary location to open in January

Pauline Gutierrez, executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission, briefed the Judiciary and Legislation Committee on the required state filing naming in-person absentee-voting locations for the 2026 spring primary and spring election.

Gutierrez said the commission expects three sites for the spring primary and seven for the spring election in April, and that a temporary Midtown lease begins in January to house training and early voting operations until a permanent site is secured. The commission said it will use the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM) this spring rather than MATC and that it coordinates site selection to match expected turnout and student schedules.

Committee members asked practical questions about site locations and whether prior security arrangements remain in place; Gutierrez said she expects site security and logistics are handled and that the commission will continue coordinating with partners. The committee moved to adopt the resolution required by state law.