Milwaukee prepares for presidential election under new election chief

Milwaukee is preparing for its first presidential election under new election chief, who faces immense pressure to ensure smooth operations at 180 polling sites. The city has been a focal point for scrutiny, particularly due to past false claims of election misconduct. The new chief, appointed by Mayor Cavalier Johnson, expressed confidence in her team's readiness, especially following a successful primary election. Despite the challenges, including a high turnover of election officials statewide, there is optimism about the upcoming election. The state has implemented measures to enhance election security and integrity, responding to concerns raised since the 2020 election. These changes include additional training for officials and improved security for voter registration databases. Gutierrez anticipates a decrease in absentee ballots compared to the pandemic year, which may facilitate a quicker counting process. The overall sentiment among election officials is one of dedication to maintaining election integrity and ensuring a smooth electoral process, despite the heightened scrutiny and occasional harassment faced by election offices.