Wisconsin’s Early Voting Surge: 80% Increase Ahead of Crucial Election

Wisconsin is seeing an 80% rise in early voting as residents prepare for the April 1 election, marking it as the most expensive state Supreme Court race. With over 193,000 early absentee votes and 455,000 ballot applications, voter engagement is significantly high, particularly in Democratic-leaning Dane County and Republican-leaning Waukesha County. The election is anticipated to draw considerable attention nationally.

Wisconsin is experiencing significant participation in early voting as residents gear up for the pivotal April 1 election, which has been marked as the most expensive state Supreme Court race in U.S. history, estimated at $76 million according to WisPolitics. Chief Political Reporter Charles Benson has reported closely on these developments since early voting commenced this week. Although early voting numbers do not predict ultimate turnout, they reflect a notable surge in interest, supported by contributions from billionaire donors across the political spectrum.

As of Friday, 86,421 residents had participated in in-person absentee voting at local clerks’ offices, marking an 80% increase from the same period two years prior for an April Spring Election. Overall early absentee voting reached 193,143, well above the 138,800 counted during a significant state Supreme Court race in April 2023. Absentee ballot applications have also soared, with 455,000 submitted, exceeding the 453,000 absentee ballots from the last election which had a total turnout of 1.8 million votes, where liberal candidate Judge Janet Protasiewicz secured victory.

Importantly, absentee ballots will not be counted until Election Day. Observing voting trends, Dane County—a Democratic stronghold—has shown the highest count of early absentee votes, encompassing mail-in ballots. In contrast, Waukesha County, leaning towards Republican preferences, has recorded the highest levels of in-person voting across all counties in Wisconsin so far. With early voting in progress, all attention turns to Wisconsin as voters prepare to make significant decisions in this essential election.

In conclusion, Wisconsin’s early voting for the upcoming election has demonstrated a remarkable increase, with participation rising by 80% compared to previous years. The substantial amount of absentee ballot applications and in-person voting indicates a heightened engagement among the electorate, essential for shaping the outcomes of this critical and historic Supreme Court race. As the election nears, both state and national observers will continue to monitor this surge in activity.

Original Source: www.tmj4.com