, , , ,

Presidential, Senate Races Top The Ballot As Polls Open In Wisconsin

Tuesday Is First Presidential Election With ID Law In Effect

By
People voting
Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Photo

Polls are open in Wisconsin where voters weary of the political rhetoric have the final say on the person they want to be the next commander in chief and the next U.S. senator from the Badger State, among other choices.

It’s the first presidential election where voters here are required to show a photo ID before receiving their ballot. Wisconsin Election Commission officials predict turnout of near 70 percent, on par with the past two presidential elections where photo IDs were not required.

Wisconsin Democrats hope a victory by Hillary Clinton, the first female major-party presidential nominee, will keep a winning streak dating back to 1988 alive, while Republicans hope to make Donald Trump the first GOP presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan to win the state.

Stay informed on the latest news

Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

They also are working to send Sen. Ron Johnson back to the Senate in his rematch against former Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold.

A win for Johnson would make him the first Wisconsin Republican to win a Senate seat in a presidential year since 1980.

According to the latest Marquette University Law School poll, released less than a week ago, Clinton held a 6-point lead over Trump among Wisconsin voters, while Feingold edged out Johnson by just 1 percentage point.

In northeast Wisconsin, the open 8th Congressional District has Republican newcomer Mike Gallagher running against Democratic Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson. The seat is open due to the retirement of Republican Rep. Reid Ribble.

Republicans are expected to maintain control of the state Legislature.

For help tracking down a polling location, try using the tool below: