MADISON (WKOW) -- Wisconsin voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their votes in the historic recall election.
Governor Scott Walker is trying to become the first U.S. governor to successfully fend off a recall effort. Tuesday's election pits Walker against Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. It's a rematch of the 2010 governor's race in which Walker defeated Barrett by five percentage points.
The recall election was sparked by Walker's successful push to strip public sector unions of most of their collective bargaining rights.
Rebecca Kleefisch is the first lieutenant governor in U.S. history to face a recall election. On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Republican hopes to make sure it isn't successful. Her Democratic challenger is Mahlon Mitchell, a firefighter and union leader.
Democrats are trying to seize control of the state Senate in Tuesday's recall elections. The Democrats hope voters are angry enough over Gov. Walker's policies to oust at least one GOP incumbent.
State election officials say local clerks have issued at least 206,000 absentee ballots for Tuesday's recall elections. The Government Accountability Board predicts voter turnout on Tuesday to be between 60 and 65 percent.
The polls open at 7 a.m. across the state and close at 8 p.m.
27 News has you covered for the recall election. Team coverage from across the state begins on 27 News at 5, 6, and 6:30. Then join us at 9 p.m. for a special report, "Your Voice, Your Vote: Wisconsin Recall Election", followed by 27 News at 10.
We'll have updates throughout the day and the latest numbers after the polls close on wkow.com.
