Voter turnout for April 3rd is estimated at over one-third of the voting population. That means about 1.5 million people will cast their ballots in Tuesday’s spring election and presidential primary. Reid Magney of the GAB says the elections agency expects turnout to be similar to the presidential primary in February 2008.
The major draw for this spring election will be Republican presidential candidates. Magney says the only state office elections are in the four Wisconsin Court of Appeals districts and many circuit court districts, but there will be many local races on the ballot — for county, municipal and school board offices. “Back in 2008 we had a presidential primary in February that got pushed back. So this year the nonpartisan spring election and the presidential primary are on the same date. So, putting those two things together, we think there will be about a 35 percent turnout.”
Historically, the highest voter turnout in a spring presidential primary since 1960 was just over 50 percent that year.
Magney says the recall elections could play a role in voter turnout, at least indirectly, considering the politically-energized and more aware electorate.
There will be six Republicans on the ballot, including Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum. President Barack Obama is the only name on the Democratic primary ballot.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:46