Stevens Point cut polling places from 11 to six. Now it wants more equipment

Stevens Point cut polling places from 11 to six. Now it wants more equipment

By Brandi Makuski

STEVENS POINT — After more than 11,000 ballots were cast in Stevens Point on Tuesday, with some voters waiting as long as three hours, city officials are seeking another $35,000 for voting equipment to help prevent similar delays in future elections.

Mayor Mike Wiza and City Clerk Susan Pagel submitted the request Wednesday, Nov. 4, asking the city’s Finance Committee to amend the 2027 capital budget to purchase six additional Badger Book machines and carts.

According to unofficial Portage County election results, 11,381 ballots were cast in Stevens Point during the Nov. 3 general election. The heavy turnout led to lengthy lines at some of the city’s six polling locations.

“The exceptional turnout in the recent election caused lines and wait times that many would consider as too long,” Wiza said in a press release Wednesday.

The release, written by Wiza, also included remarks attributed to Pagel, despite a Metro Wire email sent to the city clerk earlier Wednesday asking her to characterize Tuesday’s election.

The city recently reduced its number of polling places from 11 to six following ...