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County clerk says targeted outreach helped boost turnout in 2024 presidential election; election office details outreach partners
Summary
The County Clerk’s office described a voter education and outreach campaign ahead of the 2024 presidential election that included partnerships across county offices and targeted bus shelter and billboard ads; deputies said turnout rose substantially in the presidential contest and the office can provide precinct turnout comparisons on request.
Deputy County Clerk and Elections Director Michelle Hawley briefed the committee on the clerk’s 2024 annual report and the office’s voter education and outreach campaign leading up to the 2024 presidential election.
The deputy clerk said the office worked with the county Office on Equity, the transit commission, and the Commission on Aging to broaden outreach. Campaign tactics included billboards, bus shelter ads, social media and in‑person engagement at county events — for example Juneteenth and county resource fairs — and targeted outreach into neighborhoods with historically low turnout.
The presentation noted an increase in turnout for the presidential election; the deputy clerk said turnout for the April election was 34.6% and that turnout in Milwaukee County for the presidential contest was 88.96%. He said the office targeted historically disenfranchised areas with signage and bus routes and that the full turnout data by election type and precinct is available on the Elections Commission website or can be provided on request.
Clerk’s staff also discussed efforts to resume in‑court marriage ceremonies that had paused during the pandemic; those ceremonies are performed by judges and court commissioners rather than the clerk’s office and the clerk’s office is working with the courts to restore them safely.
Why it matters: Voter education and outreach are core election administration duties. The office’s targeted outreach to historically low‑turnout areas and partnership with county agencies are intended to increase participation among underrepresented voters.
