Elections Agency Predicts High Voter Turnout for Tuesday’s Primary

Wisconsin’s elections agency predicts voter turnout will hit 20-percent for Tuesday’s primary.

If the Government Accountability Board hits its mark, more than 870,000 people will come out to vote on August 14th. That would be similar to the number of voters who turned out for the partisan primaries in September of 2010.

Government Accountability Board Spokesman Reid Magney says the board expects two races will drive the turnout, “You know, there is a strong Senate campaign for the Republican side. In southern Wisconsin, southwest Wisconsin, there is a strong primary for Congress on the Democratic side. So we expect those things will bring turnout up. What could bring it down somewhat is that we’re having it, for the first time since 1946, in August.”

Some candidates have also expressed concern that because of recall elections, voter fatigue could drive down turnout on Tuesday. Magney says that’s possible.

Because of redistricting, many voters will see names they’re not necessarily used to on the ballot next week. Magney says people can visit the state’s Voter Public Access website at vpa.wi.gov if they want to see a sample ballot and verify their polling place.

Wisconsin has an open primary system: People can vote in either Democratic or Republican primary races, but not both.