Early Voting Surge in Wisconsin Ahead of Pivotal Supreme Court Election
Wisconsin’s early voting for the April 1 election has surged by 80%, highlighting increased voter engagement in a historic state Supreme Court race costing $76 million. With over 193,000 early absentee votes cast and a high number of absentee ballot applications filed, the election is shaping up to be pivotal in the state’s political landscape.
Wisconsin is experiencing a surge in early voting as residents gear up for the April 1 election, featuring the historic state Supreme Court race with an estimated cost of $76 million. Chief Political Reporter Charles Benson has been tracking early voting developments, which commenced this week, indicating heightened voter engagement ahead of this pivotal election.
Currently, 86,421 residents have participated in in-person absentee voting, reflecting an impressive 80% increase compared to two years ago during a similar election. Moreover, the total number of early absentee votes stands at 193,143, which surpasses the 138,800 votes recorded in the previous state’s Supreme Court race in April 2023.
Additionally, the interest in absentee voting is notable, with 455,000 applications filed, exceeding the 453,000 absentee ballots submitted in the 2023 election. The previous election showcased a turnout of 1.8 million votes, culminating in a significant victory for liberal candidate Judge Janet Protasiewicz against former Justice Dan Kelly.
While absentee ballots will only be counted on Election Day, early voting trends reveal that Dane County, a Democratic area, leads in early absentee votes, which include mail-in ballots. Conversely, Waukesha County, leaning Republican, has recorded the highest rate of in-person voting among all counties.
As early voting intensifies, Wisconsin is poised for an election that promises to significantly shape its political landscape as voters are mobilized to make their preferences known.
In summary, Wisconsin’s early voting surge for the upcoming April 1 election indicates a growing engagement among voters, particularly in the context of a highly competitive state Supreme Court race. The significant rise in absentee voting applications and early votes suggests a deeply polarized election landscape influenced by substantial financial contributions from major donors. It remains crucial to monitor these voting trends as they unfold, given the election’s potential impact on the state’s judiciary and political climate.
Original Source: www.tmj4.com
