Low turnout as Wisconsin recall elections begin

[Ian David]

Low turnout as Wisconsin recall elections begin

By John Rondy

MILWAUKEE | Tue Jul 12, 2011 1:01pm EDT

(Reuters) - Wisconsin voters went to the polls on Tuesday for the first of a series of special elections prompted by the bitter partisan battle earlier this year over the collective bargaining rights of government workers.

But turnout, which was expected to be low, was off to a slow start in Shorewood, a suburb of Milwaukee and home to the Democratic Primary for the 8th Senate District.

"I don't know if it will pick up this afternoon or not," said Sherry Grant, Shorewood's Village Clerk. "We are looking at using less poll workers for the afternoon unless it picks up."

<snip>

But the votes have a strange twist. The Democrats running in the primary are opposed by six Republicans who are running as Democrats. And while confusing, under Wisconsin law it is legal. Republicans are posing as Democrats to force the Democrats to hold primary elections and give the incumbents Republicans more time to campaign and raise money. The final recall elections will be in August.

More:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/12/us-wisconsin-recall-idUSTRE76B4SR20110712


See also:

CALL OUT THE VOTE-- Wisconsin needs you! How it works:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1473928

It's Recall Election Day, & Right-Wingers Are Reportedly Robocalling Voters 2Tell Them to Stay Home
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=186x34463

[movonne]

1. Where did all the WI energy gone...they were out there in droves...

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

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[HelenWheels]

5. We're getting worn out

It takes a lot of energy and time to organize and attend protests. We are now working on the recall elections, making phone calls, going door to door, attending town hall meetings and writing letters to the newspapers and our legislators. Protests only take you so far and than other actions have to continue the fight. What we are doing is not as visible as protests but we are not sitting around on our butts.

Today I attended a morning meeting on our Communications Committee and than spent three hours at our Dem office organizing call lists and making calls to encourage voters to get out and vote. I opted out of the meeting this evening on teaching us how to make campaign buttons.

Thanks for your interest.

[Bandit]

3. Can Republicans vote in Democratic Primaries?

In many states, Primaries are closed to only the Party or Independents. Don't know about WI.:shrug:

[Viking12]

4. Yes. We don't register by party here.

All primaries are open primaries.