MADISON (WKOW) -- Wisconsin is gearing up for an unprecedented recall primary that brings new challenges for voters on election day.
State election officials expect nearly 35 percent of eligible voters to show up at the polls on Tuesday. That's higher than most local primary elections, thanks to an active political climate.
A high turnout and an unprecedented recall election could cause some confusion for voters, with issues like crossover voting. According to Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board spokesperson Reid Magney, in a normal primary, crossover is not allowed. You can only vote Republican or Democrat. But in this election, with separate recall races, that's not the case.
"It's possible to crossover, it's possible to vote in the Republican primary for governor and then vote in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor, for example," says Magney.
In the April 3 primary, Madison's city clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl says some people filled out their ballots incorrectly, voting for more than one candidate per race. So, with both Republicans and Democrats running for the governor primary this time, she anticipates that could happen again.
"There may be some confusion with that, so if you're at the polling place on Tuesday and the tabulator spits your ballot back out at you, it's to give you a second chance," she says.
The Madison clerk's office has filed many more absentee ballots than in the September 2010 governor primary election, so they're prepared for a big turnout. In 2010, they issued more than 3,300 absentee ballots. So far for this election, they've issued more than 5,200 and nearly 3,800 have already been returned, which could reflect on interest and turnout for this election.
As always, polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m on Tuesday. If you have any questions about crossover voting, or other ballot issues, election officials say you should talk to poll workers on Tuesday, who should be able to help.
To learn more about this election, or to find your polling place, visit the Voter Public Access website.
*******
MADISON (WKOW) -- As the recall primary election nears, election officials are reminding Wisconsin residents of a few things to be aware of on election day.
The Government Accountability Board estimates 30 to 35 percent of eligible voters will turnout to choose who will run for governor and lieutenant governor in June. There are also four Democratic primaries for State Senate on the ballot.
Area clerks say in the April election, officials saw some confusion among voters, who attempted to vote for more than one candidate for a particular office. Election officials are reminding voters that you may only vote for one candidate for governor.
G.A.B. spokesperson Reid Magney says unlike the April election, you are allowed to crossover vote. That means that, for example, you can vote for a Republican candidate for governor and a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor. That's typically not the case in primary elections.
Tonight on 27 News at 10, Jennifer Kliese will share more voting tips from election officials.
