Politics & Government

Beginning of the End: Recall Election is Tuesday

Whether you're excited to vote or are counting the hours until the ads for Barrett and Walker stop, here's the information you need to know if you aren't one of the thousands who have voted early.

To be blunt, Tuesday is put up or shut up time for voters across the state, as the recall war finally comes to a matter of ballots at the polls throughout the state. This isn't the longest ballot to consider, but in case it's your first time voting, or you've turned off the radio and TV since, oh, January, here's what you need to know.

VOTING INFO

A vote for one candidate for governor does NOT mean you have also cast a ballot for their party's candidate for lieutenant governor. You must also indicate your preference for that race as well. Governor/lieutenant governor candidates are listed below:

Find out what's happening in Muskegowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Republican candidates (Governor/Lt. Governor): Scott Walker, Rebecca Kleefisch.

Democrat candidates (Governor/Lt. Governor): Tom Barrett, Mahlon Mitchell

Find out what's happening in Muskegowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hari Trivedi is also listed as an independent running for governor

View a sample ballot

High voter turnout expected

The state Government Accountability Board is projecting voter turnout of between 60 and 65 percent, but Director Kevin Kennedy said turnout is hard to predict because the state has never had an election like this before.

Registered voters can find information about their polling place and the races on the ballot at the Wisconsin Voter Public Access website. To see the details, enter your name and birthdate in the fieds provided and then click your name to get to the voter information page.

Polling places for all districts open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Polling locations:

District 1 - #1 (Tess Corners Drive)
District 2 -
District 3 -
District 4 -
District 5 -
District 6 - Tess Corners Fire Station #4 (Racine Ave.)
District 7 - Tess Corners Fire Station #2 (Loomis Dr.)

FAQs about Tuesday's election

The Government Accountability Board, which oversees elections in Wisconsin, provided a list of answers to frequently asked questions about the primary. Here are some of the most important things to know.

Voter photo ID: The law is currently on hold as two lower court decisions stopping voter photo ID are being appealed. Given the normal amount of time appeals take, it is highly unlikely both injunctions would be overturned before the primary or the recall election on June 5. If that somehow happens, the GAB says it will work with local election officials to implement the law.

Crossing party lines: Generally, it's a no-no (as it was in the primary held in May). However, because the races for Lieutenant Governor and Governor are separate, you may opt to vote for Mahlon Mitchell and Scott Walker. Not likely of course, but it is allowable.

Check your registration – Elections officials urge voters to use the state's Voter Public Access website to make sure that they are registered at their current address.  Additionally, VPA will identify the races voters are eligible to vote in, and will tell voters whether they are eligible to vote within a Senate District that has a recall election. Voters who are unsure about whether they are eligible to vote in a state Senate recall primary or election should contact their municipal clerk’s office directly. If you have not registered to vote yet or you have a problem with your registration, contact your local municipal clerk’s office to check your options. You can register at the polling place on Election Day.

Know what proof of residence to bring: If you are already registered to vote, you will only need to state your name and address to receive a ballot, and are not required to provide any additional documentation. After stating your name, you will need to sign the poll list.

If you are registering at the polling place, make sure you have proof of residence and your Wisconsin driver’s license number. If you do not have a Wisconsin driver’s license, you can use the number from your Wisconsin ID card, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Proof of residence can be established with a current lease, recent utility bill or other official document issued by a unit of government with the voter’s name and current address on it.  A college photo ID is also acceptable if the institution has provided the polling place with a list of students who live in its housing and if the housing list includes citizenship information. 

Avoid bringing undue attention or risk causing a disturbance: The state also is urging voters not wear campaign paraphernalia such as campaign/candidate buttons, shirts, hats, etc. inside the polling place. Those who wear campaign paraphernalia may be asked to cover it up or leave.


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