Turnout mixed so far in Wisconsin. Low in Dane County but good in Milwaukee

[book_worm]

The three largest counties for Democratic primary turnout from four years ago have had mixed results from morning voting, according to local election officials.

Dane County Clerk Bob Ohlsen said that the county was at 10 percent turnout as of 11 a.m., but that weather was a factor in the relatively low turnout. Ohlsen had projected as much as a 60 percent turnout last week.

"I would have thought it would have been a little more," Ohlsen said of the morning vote, before adding that he expected things to pick up this afternoon.

"You kill yourself trying to guess, and you're never right," Ohlsen said.

Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Sue Edman said that turnout in the state's largest city has ranged from "steady" to "busy" at polling sites.

"We're seeing a lot of activity" on the city's east side and near university campuses. At other locations, she said voting has not contributed to any lines yet.

Waukesha Municipal Clerk Tom Neill described turnout as "average" thus far. He said his office was holding to a 40 percent turnout projection.

-- By Andy Szal
Labels: 2008 spring primary
http://blogs.wispolitics.com/election/2008/02/early-turnout-mixed-for-key-counties.html

Hard to tell who it hurts the most. Dane Co should be a Obama stronghold and who knows when students at UW vote, but good news for Obama, possibly, in Milwaukee if turnout is strong on the east side and univesity campuses.

[northzax]

1. hurts the candidate who's supporters have less freedom

to move and change schedules. So basically, it helps Obama.

[MadBadger]

3. Low turnout in Dane County hurts Obama actually, though I think it has picked up.

[MadBadger]

This was earlier today, Ive read that turnout has picked up in dane county.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

2. would like to see what percent the youth vote is.

[Moh96]

4. I don't think the youth support Obama anymore didn't you hear Hillary Quit the band

[TomClash]

5. Campus turnout is swift and steady

http://blogs.jsonline.com/allpoliticswatch/archive/2008/02/19/campus-turnout-is-swift-and-steady.aspx

Madison -- Voting activity was swift and steady on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

Polling places in student areas - at the Memorial Library on State St. and in Holt Commons near the lakeshore dorms - was busier than usual, according to elections officials there.

As of about 2 p.m., 502 people had voted at the Memorial Library location, while 482 had cast ballots at Holt Commons. At Memorial Library, there was a short line, but it was longer for those who had to register. Ann Waidelich, the chief inspector, said many students move frequently and have to re-register every time they vote.

But, "they're willing to stand in line," she said, "for many of them, it's their first time voting."

Lauren Woods, 23, a UW-Madison senior, wasn't voting for the first time, but she was looking forward to casting a ballot for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) "He's one who makes me feel empowered to be responsible for things in our community," she said. Another student hollered to his friend that he planned to vote for U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas).

James Roeber, the chief inspector at Holt Commons, where the polling place was set up on the side of a dining area, said he expected activity to pick up around dinnertime.

Students had reminders to vote scattered around campus. "Go VOTE" was painted into the side of a large snowdrift on Observatory Drive, while "Vote 7 a.m. to 8 p.m." was written in chalk on the side of a building.

[book_worm]

6. thanks for this update.

[TomClash]

8. You are especially welcome! nt

[MadBadger]

7. I found out that that 10% number is only outside of Madison, and it doesnt include the city itself

So no worries anymore.