Election workers needed

WLUK TV

Reporter: Alex Ronallo

Updated: Apr 5, 2012 11:49 AM

GRAND CHUTE — Election analysts say that upcoming recall elections may have hurt voter turnout Tuesday. But with the recall primaries in less than five weeks we wanted to take a closer look at why local election officials may need help.

35% of Wisconsin voters were expected to cast ballots on Tuesday, only about 25% actually did.

"It is a little surprising in that this is a contested presidential primary in a state with a lot of Republican voters," said Arnold Shober, an assistant professor of government at Lawrence University.

Shober says a presidential primary will usually get more people to the polls. He says the recall elections may be to blame.

"I think that really has made voters start to tire a little bit of constantly being asked to come back and select yet another set of candidates... combined with kind of good, but perhaps, not really exciting Republican candidates and the knowledge that there's gonna be several other elections this year," said Shober.

But Shober does think the momentum will pick up again for the recall and then the presidential general election.

So does Grand Chute Town Clerk Karen Weinschrott.

"The upcoming elections? I think they're gonna be huge," said Weinschrott.

But with those great expectations comes a great big problem.

"We're looking to recruit, because we expect a very heavy election year, like all the other municipalities," said Weinschrott.

Lots of places need more people to help at the polls.

"Greeting people to ensure that they're at the right polling location, to helping them register to vote, to giving voter tickets. There's several jobs that they can do," said Weinschrott.

According to the town clerk, Grand Chute needs about 15 more people to step forward by May and stick around for the elections in June, August and November, because voters may be saving their energy for the summer and fall.

To apply for a job helping at the polls you can either call your city or town clerk's officer or look on your city or town's website for application directions.

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