The Madison Professional Police Officers Association endorsed Ray Allen for mayor Monday, just 15 days before the general election.

The MPPOA is the union for about 370 Madison police officers, sergeants, investigators and detectives.

"[The endorsement] shows they have confidence in our vision for Madison, which includes making public safety a priority, which also includes fighting crime in the long run by fighting poverty now," said Semmi Pasha, a spokesperson for Allen.

The endorsement came just hours after the Madison Police Department presented its 2006 crime data, which showed violent crime in the city was up nearly 17 percent from 2005.

Incumbent Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, who is seeking reelection April 3, also received an endorsement from a notable police official Monday — Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney.

"I appreciate the support of Sheriff Mahoney," Cieslewicz said in a release. "If reelected, I will continue to focus on public safety issues, including regional collaboration among city, county and other area law enforcement agencies."

Extended hours for city clerk's office

The city clerk has extended its hours for the next two weeks to accommodate citizens who wish to register to vote absentee.

According to a release issued by the city clerk, the office will be open through this Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Next week the office will be open from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the office will also be open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The clerk's office will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. the day before the election.

The extended hours are aimed at student voters, in particular.

The April 3 election conflicts with the University of Wisconsin's spring break, which some city officials believe could disenfranchise thousands of student voters.

"It's very unfortunate that the election happens to fall during spring break this year, both for the university, but also for the public school district," said George Twigg, communications director for Mayor Dave Cieslewicz. "Voting — just participating — is important for everybody to do."

The city clerk's office and UW have teamed up recently to encourage students to vote absentee before they leave for spring break. In addition to extended voter registration, UW will be organizing shuttles to and from the clerk's office.

Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, who also helped plan the absentee voting efforts, said he hopes students take advantage of this opportunity to vote.

UW and city officials will also be staffing tables around campus, with voter registration information and absentee ballot applications available. Absentee ballots will be mailed to registered voters who fill out a request form.

"It's been very helpful to have the UW so actively involved as well, since there's so many UW students who are impacted by this," Twigg said.

Cieslewicz's challenger, Ray Allen, is also pleased with the absentee voting efforts of the UW and city clerk.

"Hopefully, we'll know in April if folks take advantage of those opportunities — hopefully they do," Allen spokesperson Semmi Pasha said.

Preregistration closed last week, so the only place available to register to vote before the election is the city clerk's office. Same-day registration will be available at polling places on Election Day.