By Ed Nadolski
Editor in chief
Less than a month after casting their ballots in the recall primary, local voters will be back at the polls Tuesday to help decide whether Republican Gov. Scott Walker retains his job.
The historic recall election could bring out 65 percent of eligible voters across the state, according to the state Government Accountability Board, which oversees elections.
If that prediction comes to pass, it would be the highest turnout for a gubernatorial election in the past 50 years.
“Wisconsin has never had a statewide recall election, which makes predicting turnout difficult,” said Kevin Kennedy, director and general counsel of the G.A.B. “We expect turnout for this election to be much higher than the 49.7 percent turnout in the 2010 General Election for governor, but not as high as the 69.2 percent turnout in the 2008 General Election for President of the United States.”
The gubernatorial recall pits Walker against Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, a Democrat, in a redo of the November 2010 election, which Walker won. Independent candidate Hari Trivedi is the third candidate in the race
Also on the ballot Tuesday is the statewide recall of Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, a Republican who is a former television news reporter and wife of a state representative. She is challenged by Democrat Mahlon Mitchell, current president of the state professional firefighters union.
In some parts of Racine County voters will also have a chance to vote in the recall of District 21 state Sen. Van Wanggaard, one of four Republican senators who are the target of a recall on Tuesday.
Like the gubernatorial race, this contest is a redo of the 2010 election during which Wanggaard defeated then-incumbent John Lehman, a Democrat from Racine.
For the purposes of the recall, the 21st District includes all of Racine County with the exception of the city and town of Burlington and the city and town of Waterford. The configuration of the Senate district will change next fall when redistricting takes effect.
According to the G.A.B., the recall is generating high interest in absentee ballots.
As of noon Tuesday, more than 130,000 absentee ballots had been issued statewide, nearly doubling the number in play for the May 8 recall primary.
Local residents have until 5 p.m. Friday to cast absentee ballots at their local municipal clerk’s office.
Where to vote
Polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at all locations. Here is a list of local polling places:
• City of Burlington residents living in Aldermanic Districts 1 and 2 cast ballots at Cross Lutheran Church, 126 Chapel Terrace, and those in Districts 3 and 4 vote at Burlington United Methodist Church, 857 W. State St.
Residents who don’t know where they should vote and those seeking additional information should call the city clerk’s office at (262) 342-1161.
• Town of Burlington residents living in Wards 1-8 vote at the Town Hall, 32288 Bushnell Road, and Wards 9-12 vote at the Bohners Lake Fire Station, 7211 McHenry Street.
For additional information contact the clerk’s office at (262) 763-3070.
• Village of Rochester residents vote at the Municipal Building, 203 W. Main Street.
For additional information contact the clerk’s office at (262) 534-2431.
• Town of Dover residents vote at the Town Hall, 4110 S. Beaumont Avenue.
For additional information call the clerk’s office at (262) 878-2200.
• Town of Spring Prairie residents vote at the Town Hall, N6097 Highway 120.
For additional information call the clerk’s office at (262) 642-7477.
• Town of Lyons residents vote at the Town Hall, 6339 Hospital Road.
For additional information call the clerk’s office at (262) 763-9936.
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