By Ed Nadolski
Editor in Chief
Although the hotly contested presidential race and mud-spattered statewide senatorial race top the ballot for Tuesday’s election, there are a few local races voters need to be aware of as they enter the voting booth.
Redistricting that took place last year has changed the boundaries of several area state Assembly/Senate districts, which means things have changed for some voters.
Residents throughout the Burlington area – with the exception of Bohners Lake – will have the opportunity to vote in the new 63rd Assembly District.
Incumbent Republican Robin Vos of Burlington is challenged by political newcomer Kelley Albrecht, a Democrat from Burlington. Full story on the two candidates appeared in the Oct. 25 edition of the Standard Press and can be found elsewhere on this website.
Residents of Bohners Lake as well as the towns of Lyons and Spring Prairie will cast their ballots in the newly configured 32nd Assembly District.
That race pits incumbent Republican Tyler August against Democrat Kim Peterson, president of the Racine County Federation of Nurses – a labor union – and Libertarian candidate David Stolow, a Lake Geneva resident.
Links to maps of the local assembly districts can be found at the end of this story
County races
In Racine County, all of the incumbents – who are all Republicans – are unopposed in their bids for re-election: District Attorney W. Richard Chiapete; Clerk Wendy Christensen; Treasurer Jane Nikolai; and Register of Deeds Tyson Fettes.
In Walworth County, the lone contested race is for register of deeds where Donna Pruess, a Republican faces Sue Finster, a Democrat. Both have worked in the register of deeds office and are vying to replace Connie Woolever, who announced earlier this year she would not seek an additional term after 14 years in the office.
Top of the ballot
The race for president, pitting incumbent Democrat Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney also includes lightly regarded bids by five minor party candidates.
The only statewide race on the ballot is for one of Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate seats. Former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson and Democratic Rep. Tammy Baldwin are locked in a heated campaign that has set a record for statewide campaign spending. The winner will replace longtime Sen. Herb Kohl, who is retiring.
All local voters will also get to vote in the election for District 1 U.S. Representative.
Incumbent Paul Ryan, who is also on the ticket as Mitt Romney’s running mate, is seeking another term. The Janesville Republican is challenged by Rob Zerban, a Democrat, businessman and former Kenosha County Board supervisor.
What you should know
• Voters have until Friday, Nov. 2, to vote in-person absentee at their local clerk’s office. Make sure to check with the office for hours of operation.
• Polls statewide will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
• Wisconsin’s voter I.D. law – which is currently tied up in a court challenge – will not be in effect for this election. Voters will not be asked to show photo identification, but will be required to sign the poll book.
ad63Map of 63rd Assembly DistrictMap of 63rd Assembly District-1
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