Early Voting for Recall Election is Brisk, Officials Say

Perhaps eager to vote once and for all in the June 5 gubernatorial recall election, or simply too busy with summer and not wanting to forget to vote, Muskego residents casting absentee ballots have been keeping the city clerk's office busy.

Standing briefly in the hallway just outside the clerk's window, there was a steady stream of residents stopping in to vote or obtain an absentee ballot on this particular day, more than a week-and-a-half from the election.

"We're seeing similar response to this election as we saw for the presidential primary," said Jill Blenski, with the clerk's office. "I wouldn't be surprised if we got in-person and mailed ballots amounting to about 5,000."

Blenski said that the Waukesha County Clerk's office is also sending 125 percent of the needed paper ballots in anticipation of heavy turnout at the polls on June 5.

According to the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, more than 110,000 Wisconsin residents have already requested absentee ballots or voted absentee in the clerk’s office for the June 5 recall election. As of midday Friday, at least 113,558 absentee ballots had been issued by Wisconsin’s local election officials who track them using the Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS).

To give that number some context, a total of 68,000 absentee ballots were tracked in SVRS for the May 8 recall primary. Also, there were 230,744 absentee ballots cast in the November 2010 General Election for Governor. As many as 75 percent of all absentee ballots are typically cast in the clerk’s office, with the remainder being delivered by mail.

“The numbers of absentee voters continues to grow,” said Kevin J. Kennedy, director and general counsel of the G.A.B. “There could be many reasons – voter enthusiasm and convenience, plus necessity for those who will be on vacation or away from home as the school year is coming to an end.”

Voters have been able to vote absentee since May 21, and have until 4:30 p.m., which is close of business at , on June 1 to vote in person. Those who request an absentee ballot be mailed to them have until May 31 4:30 p.m. to make that request in order to receive one for the election.

It's also important to note that if you do cast a ballot ahead of time, keep it to yourself. In an age of social media where some people share pictures online of everyday things they do, Kennedy issued a reminder that voters should not take pictures of their completed ballots, let alone post them Facebook or Twitter. Under Wisconsin’s election fraud law, it is a Class I felony to intentionally show your marked ballot to any person. “Don’t tweet your ballot,” he said.

Visit the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board website for more information about absentee voting.