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Wisconsin’s state elections agency say only 12.7 percent of eligible voters turned out for the August 12 primary, well below the 15 percent initially projected. The state Government Accountability Board says 552,342 votes were cast in primaries for governor on August 12, out of Census estimates that show Wisconsin with a voting-age population of 4,348,307.
A GAB board member certified the canvass Tuesday in all races except two with recounts: the 87th Assembly District and the 17th state Senate District. A recount in the 87th was completed on Tuesday, which resulted in Republican James Edming winning the GOP primary by 19 votes over Michael Bub. Edming will now face Democrat Richard Pulcher in November, for the north central Wisconsin seat currently held by retiring Rep. Mary Williams of Medford.
A recount in the 17th Senate District is ongoing and could face potential problems because of missing ballots. Officials in Green County have been unable to locate 110 ballots that were recorded on the night of the primary. If not located, the missing ballots could swing the race in favor of Democrat Pat Bomhack, who requested the recount after unofficial totals showed him losing the primary to Democrat Ernie Wittwer by just seven votes.
The county’s Board of Canvass is expected to meet this afternoon to certify its results from the recount. The GAB says it is aware of the issue and has been providing advice on how to deal with the discrepancy and conduct an investigation.