Oshkosh committee hears early-voting schedule, accessibility plans ahead of Feb. primary

Carl, a committee member, told the DEI committee on Jan. 26 that the City Council moved to set early-voting locations and times to improve accessibility ahead of the primary.

Carl said the Culver Center was selected as a new early-voting site for its parking and accessible indoor space. Early voting will open Tuesday, Feb. 3 with extended hours that night from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday through Friday early-voting hours will follow normal schedules (reported as 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), and an additional Saturday, Feb. 7, will be open from 8 a.m. to noon. He noted curbside voting will still be available for voters who need it.

Officials are prioritizing ADA compliance, backup electrical capacity and adequate space for voters to wait. Carl also raised the challenge of a shortage of poll workers and said the city will provide free bussing on general voting day to reduce barriers. He encouraged residents to use early voting, mail-in ballots or absentee voting options and to research local candidates; a League of Women Voters candidate forum will be held Feb. 3 and will be available on Oshkosh media and on YouTube.

Carl described the hour adjustments and the city's decision-making as intended to reduce barriers to participation, and he urged committee members and residents to vote in the upcoming primary.