AUGUST 11 PRIMARY ELECTION IS FIRST FOR NEW SUN PRAIRIE POLLING LOCATIONS

SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. (7/28/26) — In June, the City of Sun Prairie Common Council adopted an ordinance adjusting our polling locations from eight to four – one in each district. This change goes into effect starting with the August 11 primary election. The new polling locations are as follows: 

• District One: Sun Prairie Utilities, 510 Linnerud Drive
• District Two: United Methodist Church, 702 North Street 
• District Three: Sun Prairie Public Library, 1350 Linnerud Drive
• District Four: Westside Community Service Building, 2598 West Main Street

The decision to establish eight polling locations in 2019 was made to reduce voter wait times and improve accessibility at a time when most voting took place in person on Election Day. Since then, several significant changes have prompted the City to reevaluate its polling location structure, including:

• Voting habits. Recent elections show that an average of 40% of Sun Prairie voters are voting absentee as opposed to roughly 20% in the years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.  
• Technology improvements. The use of Badger Books (electronic poll books) speeds up voter check-in and Election Day registrations, allowing each polling location to more efficiently handle the in-person voters. 
• Streamlined operations. Additional equipment has allowed for absentee ballot processing to happen at the polling place, but separately from in-person voters, reducing bottlenecks and making our operations more efficient. 

“Based on voter turnout data, absentee voting rates, and faster processing technology, we’re confident that four polling places will continue to serve Sun Prairie well, even during high-turnout elections,” says Sun Prairie City Clerk, Elena Hilby. “Our office remains committed to providing reliable and accessible elections for every Sun Prairie resident.” 

This change also allows for staffing improvements. Operating four sites instead of eight reduces duplicate staffing positions, allows more experienced teams at each location, simplifies logistics, and makes it easier for the Clerk’s Office staff to provide hands-on support at every polling location. Additionally, with this model we estimate a savings of $4,000-$5,000 per election, saving up to $30,000 each year. 

To learn more about the City of Sun Prairie Clerk’s Office, visit https://cityofsunprairie.com/228/Clerks-Office. To see your polling place and learn what’s on your ballot, visit www.myvote.wi.gov.