Polls are open, voting underway in recall primary election
MADISON -- Wisconsin voters took to the polls in the state's historic recall primary election Tuesday, May 8th. The polls opened Tuesday morning at 7:00, and close Tuesday night at 8:00.
A gubernatorial recall election has only occurred twice in United States history, and on Tuesday Wisconsin becomes the third state to host such an election. "I think it's great that people are turning out for it, and I think it's an important thing to do," voter Myrra Windau said. "It was important because I'm looking for leadership from our governor. I don't feel that we have leadership. I feel that it's more dictatorship," voter Claudia Peterson said.
Election officials have spent weeks preparing for this day. Poll workers took part in training to make sure they are ready for the day. “If you think about election workers, they only work four, maybe six times a year, but most of the time it’s four times a year and it’s like any job, you need to have proper training and reminders of what you need to do,” Brookfield City Clerk Kelly Michaels said.
In Milwaukee County, elections officials also made preparations ahead of Tuesday’s election day. “We’ve been very, very busy getting ready," Sue Edman with the City of Milwaukee Election Commission said.
Governor Scott Walker, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, and four Republican state senators are up for recall. On Tuesday, their Democratic challengers hoped to make it onto the general election ballot in June.
In the meantime, there are differing opinions among voters on Wisconsin's political climate. "We had some things happen in the last election that I don't agree with, and this is my way to fix it. This is why we live in the United States, so we can choose our representatives and make sure our voices are heard, and this is one way to do it," voter Maria Tully said.
Typically in a primary election, voters only get to vote down party lines. However, in Tuesday's recall primary voters could vote for a Democrat in one race and a Republican in another. Voters could select only one candidate in each contest.
Elections officials say some found this open primary process confusing. "What they have to remember is they can only vote for one. They can't vote for a Republican candidate and then vote for a candidate in the Democratic Party," Edman said.
There were very few problems reported during Tuesday's voting process, although there were some operator errors. "When I went to fill out my ballot, it was apparently too dark. Then I had completed one too many lines, so they got me a new ballot and I filled it out," voter Nicole Porter said.
A photo ID was not needed in Tuesday's elections, as the Voter ID Law is still tied up in courts.
CLICK HEREfor complete election results after the polls close.
CLICK HERE to visit the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board’s website for recall election information.
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