Micki Maynard · Wisconsin Recall Elections Get Underway With Strong Turnout

August 9th, 2011


Voters go to the polls in six Wisconsin state senate districts today. They’re considering whether to recall Republican lawmakers who supported Gov. Scott Walker’s bid to restrict state workers’ collective bargaining rights.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that turnout is strong, while Wisconsin Public Radio says state officials have seen a big demand for absentee ballots. Two Democratic senators face recall elections next week.

According to the Journal-Sentinel, there’s been a flurry of activity at the polls in Whitefish Bay, which is represented by one of the Republican state senators.

Mordecai Lee, a political scientist and professor of governmental affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, says he voted at 8 a.m. at the Whitefish Bay Public Library. He was No. 237 when he voted in the 8th Senate District recall election between Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and challenger Rep. Sandy Pasch (D-Whitefish Bay).

“Voting was as heavy as a presidential election,” he wrote. “Nowhere to park, traffic jams, lines, etc. Amazing.”

Associated Press photo

The debate over Wisconsin’s new collective bargaining law sparked big protests in the state capitol earlier this year. The law, which limits state employee bargaining and requires them to pay more for benefits, took effect in June after a court challenge. Read Changing Gears’ coverage of Wisconsin’s collective bargaining law here.

Are you a Wisconsin voter? How do you feel about the recall effort?

Category: Biztech, Government, Public Employees, Wisconsin
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