Muskego Eyes Moving Two Polling Places

Muskego voters in two districts may soon find themselves casting their ballots at different locations. 

Under a proposal, the District 1 polling place at Tess Corners Volunteer Fire Dept. Station No. 1, W144 S6731 Tess Corners Drive, would move to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, S66 W14325 Janesville Road. 


In addition, residents of District 5, who cast their ballots at Mill Valley Elementary School, would instead vote at the new Fox River Christian Church, which is getting ready to open at the corner of Tans Drive and Racine Avenue. 

School officials approached the city about moving the Mill Valley polling place because of safety concerns, Superintendent Kelly Thompson said. Many school districts have made similar requests after the December 2012 school shooting in Newtown, Ct.

While schools have long been used as polling sites, many city and school officials believe they may not be the best place for large numbers of people to stream in and out. 

The city of Muskego found a willing substitute in Fox River Christian Church, which has 150 parking stalls and an auditorium capacity of 300, as well as a desire to become more involved in the community, according to a report to Finance Committee members.

In District 1, city officials said the fire station could no longer support a polling site after redistricting increased the size of the district by 25 percent (500 voters), according to the report.

District 1 now has 2,710 registered voters. The 2012 gubernatorial recall and presidential elections showed the station lacked the parking and space necessary for elections, according to the report. 

St. Paul's is seen as much more suitable, with a 200-stall parking lot and a gym that can hold 300 people. 

The Finance Committee is expected to continue discussing the proposal Aug. 27, with the Muskego Common Council making the final decision on polling place changes.