Clearing up ballot confusion for Wisconsin's recall primary vote
By: Caroline Rowland
Updated: May 8, 2012
APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV)-- The unusual circumstances surrounding the primary recall election may cause some voter confusion. There are some things you should know before you head to the polls today (Tuesday).
You can only vote for one candidate for governor and one for lieutenant governor. Appleton City Clerk Char Peterson said she's been receiving calls from people, because of some mis-information about the primary and wants to stress, one candidate for each, or your ballot is thrown out. You will be given an opporuntiy to re-cast, though Peterson said they'd like to avoid that.
"If they vote for one Democratic and one Republican governor, they would've over-voted and it would be a spoiled ballot and they'd have another chance to cast," said Peterson.
When you look at Tuesday's ballot, you could see where people might get confused. On one side the governors candidates with the republicans listed first, then the democrats. And on the other side, the lieutenant governors candidates.
You can vote across party lines, but you only choose one candidate for governor and one for lieutenant governor.
What might also be confusing is that republicans placed fake candidates on the democrat side.
For governor its Gladys Huber and on the lieutenant governor side, its Isaac Weix.
Peterson isn't expecting confusion to keep people from coming to the polls, she is predicting a 25 to 30 percent voter turnout, though she expects a higher turnout on June 5.
"I just encourage everyone to get out and vote, there is a lot of work that goes into each election no matter how big or small," said Peterson.
Voters will not have to show ID's at the polls Tuesday, since the injunction is still in place on the voter ID law, but you will have to sign a poll book. The polls are open from 7a.m. to 8p.m.
If you haven't voted this year, you'll want to make sure to double-check that where you vote wasn't changed because of re-districting.
The Government Accountability board is predicting a 30 to 35% voter turnout for Tuesday.
We wanted to see how people were feeling about Tuesday election. Out of the 10 people we stopped at the post office, seven said they were planning to vote.
"Every vote counts, and if people stay at home, things are just going to get worse," said Mary Malcore.
"I didn't know too much about it, and i didn't know tomorrow was voting, wasn't a priority of mine," said Thomas Lance.
"I think it's important for our state and for our community that we get out and vote for the person we feel is most qualified to run our government," said Ron Antonneau.
