Wisconsin voters go to the polls today to vote in a historic recall election. Tuesday, June 5, marks the culmination of 16 months of political uproar over the policies and conduct of Governor Scott Walker and his allies, both in the state legislature and around the country. Opening with the 2011 Capitol protests and advancing with a round of state Senate recalls that summer, the furor peaked with an unprecedented campaign to recall the governor.
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Two statewide races are on the recall ballot. In the race for governor, Republican incumbent Scott Walker is facing Democratic challenger and Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett, a match-up that reprises the 2010 gubernatorial election. Meanwhile, the race for lieutenant governor will see Republican incumbent Rebecca Kleefisch face Democratic challenger and labor leader Mahlon Mitchell. There are also four recalls elections in the state Senate, with Republican incumbent Scott Fitzgerald facing Democratic challenger Lori Compas in District 13, Republican incumbent Van Wanggaard facing Democratic challenger John Lehman in District 21, Republican incumbent Terry Moulton facing Democratic challenger Kristin Dexter in District 23, and Republican candidate Jerry Petrowski facing Democratic challenger Donna Seidel in District 29.
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. The Government Accountability Board is projecting a 60-65% turnout across the state, with 2.6-2.8 million people likely to cast their ballots. This level far exceeds the turnout for the 2010 gubernatorial election, but doesn't quite reach that of the 2008 presidential election.
Information about polling places and voter registration is provided by Wisconsin Voter Public Access, while Dane County Clerk and Madison City Clerk provide election information specific to their residents. The Government Accountability Board has published "Top 10 Things a Wisconsin Voter Should Know for Election Day" -- a guide detailing the rights and responsibilities of voters. More information is provided in this guide to voting in the recall.
After the polls close, candidates and their supporters are be hosting election night parties to watch results as they're reported.
The Associated Press and C-Span provide statewide results in the six recall races, while the Dane County Clerk provide unofficial canvass results in the races for governor, lieutenant governor, and the relevant portion of state Senate District 13.For users with mobile devices, simply download the CoverItLive app and search for "Wisconsin."