Beaver Dam Poll Worker Interview

Andrea Witkowski, social worker for the for the Dept. of Corrections, wasn’t worried about working the Election Day polls due to the high risk of getting COVID-19 every day at work.

Witkowski worked the Election Day polls from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m Tuesday. She was provided masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves by the city of Beaver Dam. Witkowski talked about her feeling more at risk while working her job rather than help out during Election Day polls.

“I have never worked the Election Day polls before,” said Witkowski. “I did this year to help out the community because of COVID-19. At my job, I get no personal protective equipment to use so I was comfortable I would be safer there then at work actually.”

Gov. Evers plan to postpone Election day was overthrown by the Supreme court and this had Witkowski thinking the situation was unfair.

“I think if the government was going to suspend it, it should have been done earlier than the day before elections were taking place,” said Witkowki.

Beaver Dam is the hot spot for voters in Dodge County and this caused a shortage of poll workers. She said that they were down 4 poll workers at their location because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the fear that came along with it.

Witikowski’s second cousin, Dale Witkowski, was the first death in Wisconsin due to COVID-19. After traveling across the world on an Egyptian trip, he tested positive for COVID-19. This was also one of the reasons she decided to help work on Election Day so others wouldn’t have to feel at risk.