Early voting has officially begun in Wisconsin, setting the stage for a crucial chapter in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
Both Republicans and Democrats are wasting no time mobilizing support. On Tuesday, Democrats held a major rally in Madison, featuring Barack Obama and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, while Republicans ramped up efforts to secure early ballots for Donald Trump.
Campaigns on both sides are urging voters to cast their ballots early, warning of potential November disruptions — both political and weather-related.
Wisconsin’s importance in national politics is undeniable. It’s the birthplace of Harley-Davidson, a cheese-loving state, and where the Republican Party was founded in 1854.
“Despite its GOP roots, Wisconsin used to be a Democratic stronghold,” Milwaukee political analyst Marty Nowak told TRT World. “But Trump’s 2016 victory reshaped the state’s political landscape. Biden barely reclaimed it in 2020, and now we’re in a dead heat. It could go either way.”
With four of the last six presidential elections in Wisconsin decided by razor-thin margins, the stakes are incredibly high.
Pushing for Early Votes
In 2020, Trump lost Wisconsin by fewer than 21,000 votes, a narrow margin that has led Republicans to embrace early and postal voting, a tactic they once resisted.
Vice President Kamala Harris is also rallying Democrats to vote early, knowing that even the smallest shift in turnout could be decisive.
Milwaukee’s political significance is in the spotlight. After hosting the Republican National Convention this summer, Wisconsin’s role in shaping the 2024 race is clear.
Wisconsin’s “WOW” counties — Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington — have long been Republican strongholds, but they are being closely watched again this election cycle for any signs of change.
Another key area is Door County, a small but influential bellwether that has sided with the winning presidential candidate in the last six elections.
“You never know how Door County will swing,” Nowak said. “That’s part of what makes Wisconsin such a battleground.”
High Stakes
Wisconsin voters are grappling with key issues like the economy, immigration, and crime. Rising inflation is straining household budgets, and immigration remains a divisive topic in many communities.
Even from Washington, DC, Andrew Reinke, a Wisconsin native and Concordia University graduate, reflects on how Wisconsin politics continue to influence his life.
