Safer at Home, Vote, Census - D15 Update 3/24/19

Most of you have likely heard the news that Governor Evers has directed DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm to issue a Safer at Home order that prohibits all nonessential travel, with some exceptions as clarified and defined in the order. The order is available here. 

On the city side of things, most city meetings have been canceled while we figure out how to hold them remotely. We are planning on holding our next Common Council meeting remotely on March 31.

For the latest updates you can check the City of Madison Coronavirus site.  Here are some highlights courtesy of Alder Lemmer in District 3:

Madison Metro: Enter and exit through the rear doors

Beginning Tuesday, March 24, riders are required to ENTER and exit through rear doors. Fares will not be collected.

Streets Division drop-off sites closed

All Streets Division drop-off sites will be closed until further notice beginning at 3 pm, Tuesday, March 24, until further notice to help residents comply with Governor Evers's "Safer at Home" order.

Trash and recycling

Curbside collection services of trash and recycling are not affected by the drop-off sites closure.

All collection rules and guidelines remain in effect for curbside services. This means that certain items that can only be recycled at the drop-off sites, like televisions or computers, should be held onto by residents until the sites are open again.

Check the Recyclopedia or the Streets Division to learn these rules to be sure what you are setting to the curb is in compliance with the rules.

Early voting

Absentee voting is encouraged for the April 7 election. You can request an absentee ballot until April 2 at myvote.wi.gov, and register to vote online through March 30. Early voting is available until April 3. As of March 23, the City Clerk's office has moved to curbside early voting only. People can vote without leaving their vehicle.

Madison Public Libraries

To protect the safety of employees and the general public, public libraries are closed. Library book drops will be closed, and customers are urged to keep library materials until libraries reopen. Due dates of checked out materials will be extended, and holds will be retained at libraries until libraries reopen. The library's databases, online magazines and newspapers and downloadable audiobooks and eBooks collections are also accessible 24/7 with a library card.

2020 Census

The 2020 Census is here. As we practice social distancing, please take the opportunity to complete the census. It is critical that all Madison residents are counted. Census data determines how more than $675 billion in federal funds are distributed to communities across the country for healthcare, affordable housing, childcare, education, transportation, and more. You can fill it out online at my2020census.gov, by phone, or by mail.