Oct. 22 marked the first day for in-person early voting for the 2024 general election in Wisconsin, and the lines were out the door in clerk’s offices around the state with nearly 100,000 votes cast.

In Madison, the Harris campaign held a rally with vice presidential candidate Tim Walz and former President Barack Obama.

“It is great to be here in Wisconsin, and it’s great to be back in the Midwest where folks got good sense,” said Obama to a packed rally audience at the Alliant Energy Center.

Obama was the headliner at the rally in Madison, but every speaker had the same message.

“You might hear people say that there’s two weeks until the election, but don’t believe it, because early voting is here and this election is happening now,” said Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

“Who here plans on voting in-person early?” asked U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, who represents the Madison area

“So let’s get to work — and that’s win this damn thing. Let’s go!” exclaimed Gov. Tony Evers.

“I know you’ve heard it about 15 times so far today. But it’s worth repeating here in Wisconsin, early voting starts today,” said Obama “If you haven’t voted yet, I won’t be offended if you just walk out right now. Go vote.”

Across the state, voters were already in line, ready to cast a ballot.

Turnout was so high there was a lag in the MyVote Wisconsin system that lets clerks print the sticker that goes on the absentee ballot envelope.

The lag was fixed by early afternoon, around the time vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, who is governor of Minnesota, was telling the rallygoers he wanted them to volunteer after they voted early.

“Wisconsin, you got same day voter registration and it’s open today. So get there and vote. We need your door knocking. We need the calls,” said Walz.

Ana Wilson and Landiran Kern, Jr. attended the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August. They are College Democrats and have spent the last few months organizing student voters.

“This is the second time I got to see Walz for a rally, and first time for Obama. And it was just awesome. I loved it,” Wilson said.

“Students around the area, especially at school, are excited,” said Kern, Jr.

They took a break from classes and door knocking to attend the rally and get reenergized for the final stretch of the campaign.

“I’m sensing a lot of excitement, a lot of nerves — but I think people are really excited,” Wilson said.

Obama won Wisconsin twice — with the largest margins seen by a presidential candidate this century — and he knows the last couple weeks of a campaign bring many emotions.

“So, whether this election is making you feel excited or scared or hopeful or frustrated or anything in between,” said Obama, “do not sit back and hope for the best. Do not think this is a distraction or a joke. Get off your couch. And do what? Vote!.”

Both Kern, Jr. and Wilson say they plan to vote on Election Day, even as they work to get their classmates to vote early for Vice President Kamala Harris.

“I’ve been out canvasing a lot within the last couple of weeks, and most students have already sent in their absentee ballots,” said Kern, Jr. “And I know students who have — we’re trying to get them out early voting. And you better believe it or not, early voting. I will be at their door knocking on Nov. 5.”