KENOSHA, Wis. — With absentee voting already underway for Wisconsin’s Aug. 11 partisan primary, Kenosha County Clerk Regi Waligora is reminding voters that they may vote in only one political party’s primary, a rule that could cause confusion because of several high-profile races on this year’s ballot.
Under Wisconsin law, voters are not have to register with or declare a political party. However, when casting a ballot in a partisan primary, they must select candidates from only one party. Votes cast across multiple parties will not be counted.
The issue is expected to be especially relevant this year because the Republican primary for Kenosha County sheriff features three candidates, while Democrats are holding a competitive primary for governor. Some absentee voters have already contacted election officials after discovering they cannot vote in both contests.
“We’ve begun receiving reports from voters who have received their absentee ballot in the mail and are confused that they cannot vote in both the sheriff’s race and the Democratic primary for governor,” Waligora said. “Under state law, voters must select one party and vote only in that portion of the ballot.”
Waligora said voters may indicate a party preference on their ballot, but they must still vote for individual candidates. If they fail to indicate a party preference and instead vote for candidates from multiple parties, none of those votes will be counted.
“This causes confusion for some voters in all partisan primaries, and I expect the confusion to be heightened by the dynamics of this year’s races,” Waligora said. “I encourage voters to familiarize themselves with the process, and to contact my office or their local municipal clerk’s office if they need clarification before submitting an absentee ballot.”
The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6. Completed absentee ballots must be received by the voter’s municipal clerk no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day, Aug. 11.
In-person absentee voting at municipal clerks’ offices begins Tuesday, July 28, and continues through Friday, Aug. 7. Hours vary by municipality. Additional election information, including sample ballots, polling locations and candidate lists, is available through the Kenosha County Clerk’s Office.
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