Election officials prepare for primary

WLUK TV

Updated: May 8, 2012 2:21 PM

APPLETON — Election officials are reminding everyone to get out and vote Tuesday for the recall primary elections.

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Political experts are calling this primary an unprecedented election for not only the state, but the nation. Analysts say that makes it hard to predict just how many people will show up to cast their ballots.

In the Republican race for governor, incumbent Scott Walker is challenged by political newcomer Arthur Kohl-Riggs.

Kohl-Riggs' website didn't list any stops Monday. Walker spent his day before the primary in southwestern Wisconsin. He visited with workers at a cheese plant in Fennimore, and workers at a battery-making facility in Monroe.

On the Democratic side of the governor's race: Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, State Senator Kathleen Vinehout, Secretary of State Doug La Follette and Gladys Huber all face off.

Falk, Vinehout and Barrett spent Monday campaigning. Falk was in Milwaukee, Barrett in Kenosha. Vinehout was in western Wisconsin. La Follette's website didn't list any stops.

Separate from the governor’s race, three Democratic lieutenant governor candidates are running against each other. Those candidates are: Mahlon Mitchell, Ira Robins and protest candidate Issac Weix.

Before you go to the polls, city clerks want to remind you of some important rules.

The ballots are printed and ready to go for Tuesday’s recall primary. But, as you go to check off your choice for governor and lieutenant governor, straight party voting rules won't apply.

"For lieutenant governor, the primary is only in the Democratic party. So, the good example is the citizen can vote for a Republican governor candidate and then vote for a Democratic lieutenant governor candidate,” said Appleton City Clerk Char Peterson.

Peterson says as her staff prepares for another election, she's trying to remind voters of what they'll need to know.

You won't need a photo ID when you go to the polls.

However, you will need one if you're registering to vote. You will also need to sign the poll book.

Peterson says she's expecting plenty of voters to cast their ballots in this rare election.

"I’m gaging anywhere from 25 to 30 percent, but I anticipate that being double for the general in June. And, I saw the statistics statewide, that the Government Accountability Board was predicting 30 to 35 percent for tomorrow,” said Peterson.

Political analyst Charley Jacobs says it's hard to pinpoint a percentage on voter turnout for this type of election.

"The thing about recalls is, for political scientists, we just don't have a lot of data about them. And so, it's very hard to predict behavior,” said Jacobs.

Clerks say with an election falling at a busy time of year for many families, they hope voters remember that polls are open tomorrow.

"We just want everybody to come out and vote because there's a lot of work involved, and we hope there is a good voter turnout,” said Peterson.

Some Republican state senators not in our area also face recall elections Tuesday. They are Scott Fitzgerald from Juneau, Terry Moulton from Chippewa Falls, Van Wanggaard of Racine and Pam Galloway of Wausau. Galloway retired earlier this year, but her seat is still up for recall.

Polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

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