Making Spaces Polling Places
The world watched as Milwaukee residents struggled to express their right to vote when only 5 polling stations of 180 remained open to serve a population of over 600,000 in this COVID-19 pandemic. The locations that remained open were not accessible to all neighborhoods. This is what voter suppression looks like. Communities, especially those without reliable transportation, need polling stations to participate in our democracy.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Milwaukee identified a need and took action. Three club locations have already been approved to serve as polling stations and seek more prior to the November election. The clubs are trusted places for kids, parents, and the community. This civic gesture can be deployed in cities across the nation, and only takes the foresight to look at the current built environment and recognize the spaces already serving communities.
Communities can use existing space to remove barriers and make it possible for everyone to vote.
