Marquette University and Election Day: What media need to know

Nov. 1, 2024

MILWAUKEE - With college voters a topic of discussion and Marquette University serving as a community polling place, here is what to know about university access on Nov. 5.

Where are students voting?

Alumni Memorial Union, 1442 W. Wisconsin Ave., is one of five polling stations that support a majority of the residential campus community. In addition to the AMU, residents in campus housing and the adjacent neighborhoods may also vote at:

• Central Library - Centennial Hall, 733 N. 8th St.
• Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning, 1017 N. 12th St.
• Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language, 2430 W. Wisconsin Ave.
• Highland Gardens, 1818 W. Juneau Ave.

AMU access, polling guidelines on Election Day

Voting at the AMU occurs in the third-floor ballrooms, but the entire building constitutes a polling location according to local election laws. Here are rules and regulations for media at the AMU:

• While open to the public for voting and voting observers, the AMU is still private property and Marquette University protocols for media on campus remain. Any media interested in accessing the campus or the AMU on Election Day must coordinate in advance with Kevin Conway or Melissa Barclay of the Office of University Relations. Outlets should register interest in advance to coordinate the appropriate media staffing in accordance with campus media protocols.
• Access to the voting area within the ballrooms is officially coordinated with the chief election inspector upon arrival. An anticipated media agenda will be shared in advance with the chief election inspector but is not mandatory.
• With the approval of the chief election inspector, media may record sound, images and video for short periods of time inside the polling place as long as it is not disruptive. In addition to professional photo and video gear, media may use cell phones or tablets to take pictures and video, something regular observers are not allowed to do.
• No media may broadcast live or tape reports (stand-ups) from within a polling place because of the potential to disrupt or distract the voting process. Extended photography or video in a polling place could also be disruptive or intimidating to poll workers and voters and is not allowed.
• Voters in line to vote cannot be approached for interviews, but individuals who have completed voting may be approached. While interview coordination can happen within the AMU, the actual interviews cannot be conducted in line or within 100 feet of an entrance to the polling place as that is an electioneering-free zone.
• The Wisconsin Elections Commission asks that media do not take images/video of voters' faces as they're going into polling places, as some voters find this intimidating.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding access to the Marquette campus or the Alumni Memorial Union, please contact Kevin Conway at [email protected].

About Marquette University

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.

About Kevin Conway

Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of University Relations. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or [email protected].