Wisconsin’s early voting for the April 1 election has surged by 80%, with significant increases in absentee ballots and applications, primarily driven by a historic state Supreme Court race. With varying results between key counties, the election is generating considerable interest.
Wisconsin is experiencing a substantial increase in early voting as residents gear up for the critical April 1 election, which features a historic state Supreme Court race estimated at $76 million. Chief Political Reporter Charles Benson has been monitoring this notable increase since early voting commenced this week.
As of Friday, 86,421 individuals have voted in-person absentee at their local clerks’ offices, reflecting an impressive 80% increase compared to the same period two years ago for an April Spring Election. The total absentee votes cast currently stands at 193,143, significantly exceeding the 138,800 votes from a notable state Supreme Court election last year.
Additionally, there has been a significant rise in absentee ballot applications, with 455,000 completed, surpassing the 453,000 absentee ballots submitted during the 2023 election. Notably, that election achieved a total turnout of 1.8 million votes, where Judge Janet Protasiewicz won against former Justice Dan Kelly by an 11-point margin. It is essential to note that absentee ballots will only be counted on Election Day.
In terms of regional voting patterns, Dane County, a Democratic stronghold, has recorded the highest number of early absentee votes, including mail-in ballots. In contrast, Waukesha County, which tends to lean Republican, has reported higher in-person voting compared to other counties in the state. With early voting in full operation, Wisconsin is poised for an intense and engaging election period as voters prepare to participate in shaping their future.
The early voting surge in Wisconsin, with an 80% increase in in-person absentee ballots, indicates heightened electoral interest for the upcoming April 1 election. The significant numbers of absentee ballots and applications reflect the competitive nature of this historically expensive state Supreme Court race. With divergent voting trends in key counties, the state remains a focal point in the electoral landscape as voters prepare to exercise their rights.
Original Source: www.tmj4.com
