More In Person Voting in Tuesday's Election Than Previous Election
Thursday, May 14th, 2020 -- 8:52 AM
(AP) -A higher percentage of voters decided to cast ballots in person, rather than mailing them in absentee during the second Wisconsin election held in just five weeks amid a stay-at-home order to prevent spread of the highly contagious coronavirus.It’s another sign that people’s fears about leaving home amid the pandemic may be waning, as both state and national polls show growing impatience about stay-at-home orders. Polls have also shown growing skepticism among Republicans to the orders. That could have played into the larger in-person turnout in Tuesday’s special election for a congressional seat, which Republican state Sen. Tom Tiffany won by about 14 points over Democrat Tricia Zunker. Unlike last month’s statewide election, Tuesday’s was limited to a largely rural congressional district that’s been less affected by the COVID-19 pandemic than more urban parts of the state. Only about 2% of the state’s confirmed cases are in the sprawling, 18,500-square-mile district.
Turnout was on par with turnout for the statewide April 7 presidential primary and spring general election. But in last month’s election, which went ahead amid loud criticism about compromised safety and unsuccessful legal fights to delay it, 71% of voters cast ballots absentee. Just 48% voted absentee in Tuesday’s special election. That’s down from about 56% who voted absentee in the congressional district in last month’s election.
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