Thousands vote absentee in recalls

Associated Press

TODD RICHMOND Associated Press

Updated: Jun 1, 2012 5:23 PM

WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) — Thousands of Wisconsin residents juggling summer plans have flooded the polls to vote absentee in the state's recall elections.

The numbers underscore yet again the intensity of the recall races, particularly the contest pitting Republican Gov. Scott Walker against Democrat Tom Barrett.

The actual elections are set for Tuesday, but state election officials say local clerks who track absentee voting through a statewide computer system have issued about 182,000 ballots. Only a third of the state's election officials use the software, though, so the actual number of absentee ballots issued is probably much larger.

Voters cast about 231,000 absentee ballots in the November 2010 regular gubernatorial election.

Election clerks in Democratic-leaning Madison and Milwaukee as well conservative Waukesha have already handed out more absentee ballots than in 2010.

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