Polls are open, voting underway in state's historic recall election
MILWAUKEE -- After months of collecting recall petitions and weeks of political ads, voters began casting their ballots for the state's historic recall election at 7 a.m. Tuesday, June 5th.
High turnout for Wisconsin’s historic recall election was expected. The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board estimated between 60% to 65% of voters to cast ballots. Election officials say as many as 2.8 million people could vote.
On Monday, workers made sure bins were stuffed with supplies poll workers will need Tuesday — everything from poll lists to voter tickets and manuals.
At Milwaukee’s Election Commission Office, they brought in extra staff to handle the call volume and answer questions. Workers also did a final count of batches of absentee ballots.
City of Milwaukee and Brookfield election officials say they’ve received more absentee ballots for the recall election than they did for the 2010 gubernatorial election.
“In 2010, we received just over 14,000 absentee ballots. For this election, we`re up to about 18,800. If you consider the fact that we only had a two-week period this time, and the last time, it was over three weeks — the interest is there,” Edman said.
If you plan on voting absentee it must be postmarked in the mail by Tuesday, June 5th to be received by clerks by 4 p.m. Friday, June 8th.
Election officials say the voting equipment is ready.
“About a week and a half ago, we tested all of our machines, and they are now out at all of our polling sites. Everything has been delivered — all of our supplies are delivered and we`re just making sure everything is in place,” Edman said.
Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said assistant attorneys general and special agents were stationed across the state to ensure compliance with state laws.
As a reminder -- voters do NOT need a photo ID to vote in Tuesday's recall election.
The voting polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 5th.
Voters can call the Wisconsin Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE to report problems, ask attorneys questions or get help to protect their right to vote.
CLICK HERE for more information on voting and the recall election via the GAB’s website.
Related stories: