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West Bend to consolidate three polling districts at Moraine Park technical college after facility loss
Summary
City clerk reported Washington County will close one of the current polling facilities for remodels; staff proposed moving three districts to a room at Moraine Park Technical College to save resources and handle equipment needs. Council approved the ordinance to relocate Districts 5 and 6 and consolidate one additional district.
City Clerk explained to the Common Council on Oct. 6 that Washington County notified the city a polling facility will be unavailable because of remodeling, prompting staff to seek a new permanent location for multiple districts.
The clerk said staff evaluated options and recommended consolidating three districts into a space at Moraine Park Technical College. The room can be configured as one or two rooms depending on turnout, and the city’s IT staff found the site suitable for election equipment. The clerk also noted more than 50% of city voters already use absentee mail or in-person absentee voting; in the 2024 presidential cycle roughly 53–54% voted absentee or used in-person absentee services.
Aldermen asked about parking, ADA access and how curbside voting would be handled. The clerk said Moraine Park has multiple entrances and ADA ramps and explained the city will continue to provide curbside voting, with two election inspectors assisting voters in vehicles when requested.
Council members also asked whether the consolidation produces cost savings; the clerk said the city expects to use fewer Badger Books, fewer election inspectors and less staff time, reducing costs. Staff noted other sites (for example, an airport hangar) failed operational or logistical tests (plowing, electrical outlets for Badger Books), and that school buildings have generally declined requests to host polling places for safety reasons.
Council approved the ordinance to permanently relocate Districts 5 and 6 to the new location and consolidate the third district into the same site; the council vote carried.
