Milwaukee – The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors approved a proposal from Supervisor Eddie Cullen to allocate $28,000 for expanded bus service on Election Day and supplement a social media campaign educating bus riders on transit options to polling locations.
“It is unmistakable that voting is essential to a functioning democracy,” said Supervisor Cullen. “But only 61% of Milwaukee County residents cast a ballot in the 2016 presidential election; a far lower turnout than in Waukesha and Dane counties. We must ensure that all eligible voters have equitable access to the ballot in what may be the most consequential election in recent history.”
The resolution authorizes and directs a fund transfer from the county’s contingency account to Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) to fulfill the following objectives:
- $15,000 to ensure adequate route coverage so that riders will not be left behind because of the 15-passenger limit due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- $10,000 for a targeted social media advertising campaign educating residents on bus access to polling places.
- $3,000 to update buses with destination signs encouraging voter participation.
“With dozens of bus routes and thousands of stops across Milwaukee County, MCTS makes it easy for residents to access their designated early-voting locations or official polling sites on Election Day,” said MCTS Managing Director Dan Boehm. “We appreciate the County Board of Supervisors’ support, which will help us promote our services to passengers and make sure there are plenty of buses on the road so that no one is left behind on Election Day.”
The resolution was co-sponsored by Supervisors Ryan Clancy, Joseph Czarnezki, Felesia Martin and Steven Shea.
