As you are aware, there is a nationwide shortage of hand sanitizer and other disinfecting cleaning supplies. The State of Wisconsin is working directly with many manufacturers to acquire these products for polling places and clerk offices. We are also investigating the possibility of purchasing bulk sanitizer ingredients, such as 70% ethyl alcohol solution. Ethyl alcohol is the same chemical found in commercial hand sanitizer and the CDC recommends its use for both people and surfaces if other products are unavailable.
As part of this process, the Wisconsin Elections Commission needs to accurately estimate the demand for supplies at polling places across the state. County clerks should please e-mail @email
with your estimated needs for any of the following supplies. Please consider all polling places in your county.
1. Hand sanitizer (# of 12 oz pumps)
2. Disinfecting wipes such as Clorox wipes (# of containers)
3. Disinfecting spray cleaners (# of 32 oz bottles)
4. Empty spray bottles for use with bulk sanitizer (# of 32 oz bottles)
5. Paper towels (# of rolls)
6. Hand washing stations (#)
The tentative distribution plan is to provide supplies directly to county clerk offices. County clerks will have to develop a plan to distribute supplies to your municipalities.
Please note that bulk sanitizer, if we can obtain it, comes as a liquid and not a gel. Thus, clerks will need to obtain spray bottles to apply the product. The bulk sanitizer also lacks aloe or other skin conditioners found in commercial hand sanitizer products.
Thank you for your hard work in support of Wisconsin elections. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns at @email or (608)261-2028.