Register early to avoid lines at polls

NEENAH - Tuesday was National Voter Registration Day and local election officials are asking you to register now. State elections officials are predicting about three million people will head to the polls in Wisconsin November 6th.

Lawrence University is getting ready for a visit from another big name in politics. Last spring Mitt Romney spoke at the school, this Friday it's Michelle Obama.

"For the first time, actually, a sitting first lady comes to campus," said university communications associate vice president Craig Gagnon.

A high profile visit like this shows just how important this election is to voters.

"We don't support any candidates as a university, but there's quite a buzz on campus, the students are very excited," said Gagnon.

And it's not just students who are excited. Free tickets became available to the public Tuesday afternoon and people lined up early to snag theirs.

"We really look at it as an opportunity to see the political process going on whether they're on one side or the other, it doesn't really matter," said Gagnon.

And for local election officials like Neenah City Clerk Patty Sturn this political excitement is a reminder the big day is just around the corner.

Sturn is asking anyone who's unregistered and wants to vote to please register ASAP.

"If everybody waits til the week before it just makes our job tremendous. We sit here late at night trying to get things processed," Sturn told FOX 11.

Sturn said you can register at the polls, but you could end up with quite a wait.  She's predicting 70 to 80 percent voter turnout in her area alone.

"Voter registration can be done on Election Day, but it's always nice to get it done ahead of time so they're not waiting in line," said Sturn.

Sturn told us if you choose to register early you can get it done by mail, online, or at your local clerk's office.

"In less than 5 minutes we can have them registered," said Sturn.

Which could mean less time you'll have to spend waiting to cast your ballot.

If you register to vote by mail the registration must be post marked by October 17th and if you plan to vote early at your local clerk's office the deadline is the Friday before the election.

Also tickets to see Michelle Obama at Lawrence University this Friday ran out Tuesday.