Wisconsin Early Voting Surges Ahead of Pivotal April Election

Wisconsin is experiencing a remarkable 80% increase in early in-person absentee voting ahead of its April 1 election, featuring the most expensive state Supreme Court race in history at $76 million. As of now, over 193,000 early absentee votes have been cast, indicating heightened electoral engagement amidst strong financial influences from both political sides. Voting trends vary significantly between Democratic and Republican counties.
Wisconsin is currently experiencing a surge in early voting ahead of the crucial April 1 election, which includes a historic state Supreme Court race expected to cost around $76 million. Chief Political Reporter Charles Benson reported that early voting began this week, showing increased civic engagement and attention towards this significant electoral event, especially with considerable financial backing from billionaire donors on both political sides.
As of Friday, 86,421 residents had participated in-person absentee voting at local clerks’ offices, reflecting an 80% increase compared to the same period two years ago during an April Spring Election. Overall, the early absentee votes totaled 193,143, surpassing the 138,800 absentee votes from another major state Supreme Court contest in April 2023.
Moreover, voters have submitted 455,000 absentee ballot applications, exceeding the 453,000 absentee votes recorded in the 2023 election, which saw a total turnout of 1.8 million. During that election, liberal candidate Judge Janet Protasiewicz won against former Justice Dan Kelly by an impressive 11-point margin. It is critical to highlight that absentee ballots will not be counted until Election Day.
Dane County, known for its strong Democratic presence, has reported the highest number of early absentee votes, including mail-in ballots. Conversely, Waukesha County, which typically supports Republican candidates, has shown the highest volume of in-person voting thus far in the state. The ongoing early voting reinforces the attention on Wisconsin as voters prepare for this pivotal election.
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The early voting statistics in Wisconsin indicate a growing voter interest as the state prepares for a significant election. With a marked increase in early absentee votes and applications, alongside donations from influential donors, the April 1 election is shaping up to be pivotal. The variations in voting trends between Democratic and Republican-leaning counties highlight the highly competitive nature of this race, with all eyes on the outcome.
Original Source: www.tmj4.com