Absentee ballots surpass 2004
MADISON — With five days yet to go before the 2008 election, absentee balloting in Janesville has already surpassed that of 2004.
Early voting in the presidential race has gone beyond 2004 levels in many parts of Wisconsin, including several cities expected to go for Democrat Barack Obama.
In Janesville, nearly 5,000 voters have been issued absentee ballots, said Jean Wulf, the city's clerk-treasurer. In the 2004 election, the city issued about 4,600 absentee ballots.
"It's been a very busy week, and I suspect it will get busier," said Wulf, adding that she can't speculate on how high absentee voting will go in Janesville.
Absentee voters can receive and cast their ballot in Wulf's office, where the wait sometimes has been 20 minutes when busy, she said. That's comparable to waits at Janesville polling places on Election Day, she said.
"In 2004, a wife came to our office and voted absentee and it took her about an hour," Wulf said. "Her husband went to the polls and got through in about 20 minutes.
"It's hard to guess when we or the polls will be busiest."
Rock County Clerk Lori Stottler said absentee voting is high everywhere in the county, particularly in larger municipalities where clerks have longer office hours to accommodate absentee voters.
Stottler said the increase in absentee ballots likely will delay totaling results on Election Day. Poll workers must feed absentee ballots into readers, but they're likely to be busy enough with voters at the polling places.
"Chances are, that won't happen until 8 p.m., so the results will likely be delayed," Stottler said.
In Milwaukee, more than 10,000 people have voted by absentee ballot at the municipal building. That's up from 8,000 in 2004 and the number is expected to grow by 700 per day until the Nov. 4 election, said Neil Albrecht, assistant director of the Milwaukee Election Commission.
"We are seeing people from all over the city," he said. "It really demonstrates all the excitement around the election."
In Madison, voters have endured lines of 45 minutes or longer in recent days to cast ballots at the clerk's office. An official tally wasn't available Monday, but officials expect to surpass the 25,000 absentee voters of 2004.
Turnout has been so heavy statewide that a Government Accountability Board spokesman said Monday its original estimate that 15 percent of Wisconsin votes would be cast by absentee ballot was too low.
"We may have been wrong," Kyle Richmond said of the estimate, which was already higher than the 12 percent in 2004.
City clerks contacted Monday by The Associated Press said they are nearing or have broken 2004 records and still expect their biggest crowds in the final week before the Nov. 4 election.
"It is everybody. It is amazing," said Appleton Clerk Cindi Hesse, who is expecting the number of absentee votes to far exceed the 5,000 in 2004. "We have first-time voters versus those who come in with walkers and wheel chairs."
In Green Bay, more than 5,000 absentee votes had been cast as of Monday, compared to 4,000 total in 2004. In Kenosha, more than 6,000 people voted early—already a 500-person increase over 2004.
Both presidential campaigns have urged supporters to vote early. John McCain and the Republicans got a head start, blanketing the state with mailings containing absentee ballot applications addressed to clerks. Some clerks credited that with generating early interest in absentee voting.
But Obama and the Democrats appear to have caught up after holding a series of events around the state with prominent politicians and celebrities touting the benefits of early voting. Sen. Russ Feingold was holding more such events on eight college campuses around the state Monday and Tuesday.
Both campaigns see early voting as a way to lock in their supporters and free up volunteers to work on Election Day. Voters say they hope to avoid potential hassles on Election Day—although some are finding lines just as long or longer than they might be next week.
Unlike some other states, Wisconsin does not register voters by party. That means no one knows precisely who is heading to the polls early.
But the heavy turnout in Democrat-leaning cities like Milwaukee, Madison, Janesville, Racine and Kenosha bodes well for the Obama campaign. Less clear is which candidate benefits, if either, from early turnout in more politically divided cities such as Green Bay and Appleton.
The high interest in the typically conservative western and northern suburbs of Milwaukee would seem to benefit McCain.
In the Republican-leaning city of Waukesha, deputy clerk Gina Koslik said nearly 5,400 have voted absentee or nearly the same number as in the 2004 presidential election. And she predicted another 2,000 early voters before Election Day.
"We are very busy," she said. "This week is going to be absurd."
VOTING ABSENTEE
Voters have to options to case absentee ballots:
By mail
Requests for absentee ballots must be received by your municipal clerk by Thursday. You can download the request form at the state Government Accountability Board by visiting http://elections.state.wi.us, clicking FAQs in the left column and choosing "absentee voting."
You can send your own letter requesting an absentee ballot as long as it includes your name, address, mailing address and birth date.
Either way, you must include an original signature on the request, and you must be registered to vote at your current address.
The completed ballots must be returned by Election Day, Nov. 4.
In person
You can register to vote and vote absentee in person at your municipal clerk's office.
City of Janesville residents can vote or register from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays at Janesville City Hall, 18 N. Jackson St.
Oct 29, 2008 at 2:10 a.m.
Suggest removal
justintimberlakerules...You state that “If you made between $150000 and $250000 you would stay the same”. Yet your own chart disputes this. Somewhere the numbers don’t add up to the claims made by the campaign or the “unbiased” Tax Policy Center. If you check Obamas web site and use the tax calculator it shows a cut for those above $150000….so why are they saying one thing in public and another on their site?
Oct 28, 2008 at 5:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
For those of you who bash Obama, please remember that all is not pure and innocent in the McCain camp either. Obama might have had a relationship many years ago with Bill Ayers, but why is no one bringing up the radical association John McCain has with G. Gordon Liddy. The white supremist who held a fundraiser in his home with McCain and raised over $5000 and even gave $1000 to him this year. Liddy, who spent time in prison for Watergate, felt Hitler had an impact on him as a child and gave him strenth. Liddy advised Branch Davidians on his show on how to defend themselves against ATF agents. McCain claimed it was over 20 years ago and should not matter. It was actually on 10 years. Amazing how when it comes to Obama it is wrong but it is acceptable for McCain. I am voting for Obama and agree that nothing on this site will convince me otherwise. I have hope with this man.
Oct 28, 2008 at 3:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
When you vote remenber Ryan Voted No for the GI Bill. Ryan voted NO to extend unemployment. Called people out of a job Lazy. Ryan does not believe waterboarding is Torture. Ryan is bought and paid for by the pharmacy lobbiest. Where do you think he got a million to advertise. Kick this BUM Out I did.
Oct 28, 2008 at 3:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
Already voted . Voted early to avoid the lines on Nov. 4th. Was in Line for about 10 minutes only.
Oct 28, 2008 at 3:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
I've noticed most people voting for McCain won't change their minds, no matter what facts are presented. You have to give credit for going down with the ship. It really is admirable. Some are scared of a black man, some are afraid their taxes will go up, some like war regardless the reason.
*
I just saw a report on tv, and I apologize I don't remember which network, but there was a study done showing Obama's tax plan would add 3.5 trillion to the national debt, McCain's would add over 5 trillion. Look, what's wrong with our country can't be fixed in one presidential term, but isn't it time to try something different instead of moving steadily in the same direction??
Oct 28, 2008 at 1:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
Ok. I'll remember that. I'll also remember the laughs that Gramps and Moose Knuckle gave us during this presidential campaign.
Oct 28, 2008 at 1:34 p.m.
Suggest removal
Just remember you heard it hear first when it happen next summer. The Unite States of Obama, and Oprah.
Oct 28, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.
Suggest removal
WOW. Is somebody a little paranoid?
Oct 28, 2008 at 1:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
Justintimber it was just in his speech today from Chester PA. in front of 9,000 people in a crowed to see him in the cold. I know you can see him using conditioning to get people ready for the big news. It is what psychologist refer to what another world leader did to people that were looking for hope. The human mind is very easy to play with, and they know we are like sheep. One jumps off a cliff they all jump in single file order.
Oct 28, 2008 at 1:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
Scares you? That's funny. The Republican party is running this campaign on fear tactics. They can't win on the issues so they might as well scare you into voting for their party.
Oct 28, 2008 at 1:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
He is just so shady. He gives GREAT speeches, BUT............. That is what scares me about him. I just have a awful feeling about him. Just hope I'm wrong, cause it does look like he will be our next president. Just can't shake off my gut feelings about him.
Oct 28, 2008 at 12:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
Where did Obama say that he would raise taxes on people making over $100000? In August he said if you made less than $150000 you would get a tax break. If you made between $150000 and $250000 you would stay the same and if you made over $250000 you would be taxed higher on everything over $250000. The first $250000 would be taxed the same as it is now.
Per the Tax Policy Center, here is how Obama's tax plan breaks down for individuals:
$0-$18,891 = $567 tax cut
$18,982-$37,595 = $892 tax cut
$37,596-$66,354 = $1,118 tax cut
$66,355-$111,645 = $1,264 tax cut
$111,646-$160,972 = $2,135 tax cut
$160,973-$226,918 = $2,796 tax cut
$226,919-$603,402 = $121 tax increase
$603,403-$2.87 million = $93,709 tax increase
$2.87 million-plus = $542,882 tax increase
Oh no, if I make $603402 I am going to have to pay an additonal $121 in taxes. How rude.
Quit watching Foxnews and reading the Drudge Report and go out and do some real research instead of just taking everything out of context to try to spin it in your favor.
Oct 28, 2008 at 12:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
polert, it takes someone special to double down on the Bush disaster. You seem like that "special" sort.
Oct 28, 2008 at 12:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
Did you not read in the last two weeks Obama has went from a claim of raising taxes on people making $250,000 a year to now $150,000 a year. As the economy falls the government will need to lower that number to $50,000 a year as tax revenues decrease. If you want change, remember not all change is good changes.
Oct 28, 2008 at 12:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
I have voted for Obama and I will explain why.
He gives me hope for the future and makes me feel he is fighting for our rights and not talking war war war. I think he is a calm and controlled person we need now more than ever.
Oct 28, 2008 at 11:45 a.m.
Suggest removal
I am voting for Obama for this reason only http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fort...
Read the sob stories of people making 500k a year complaining they are getting taxed to much. Boo hoo. I say tax the hell out of these people
Oct 28, 2008 at 11:26 a.m.
Suggest removal
I saw that speech also. It was also mentioned this morning that the tax rate will go up for anyone making $150,000 per year. This is $100,000 less than last week when it was $250,000. By the time he gets in office, it will be down to what? His redistribution of wealth is encompassing more and more workers to give checks to those who don't work. Let's also not forget his bill in the Senate where he proposes to give billions to fight world poverty..."Global Poverty Act" (S.2433) The legislation would commit the U.S. to spending 0.7 percent of gross national product on foreign aid, which amounts to a phenomenal 13-year total of $845 billion over and above what the U.S. already spends......notable here is that it will go to the UN to be distributed.
Oct 28, 2008 at 10:25 a.m.
Suggest removal
As I was watching Obama's speech from Manchester PA. I heard Obama say this morning Quote Obama we will have to improve America's standing in the world, and that means spending some money in the world. It will not be clear to everyone so you will have to remind people that we are spending 10 billion dollars a day in Iraq already. Obama is getting ready, and prepping everyone for our military being in Africa I believe. I believe he is using a method psychologist call conditioning the masses.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.