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August Primary Will Be Good Practice For November

WAOW Television

Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) officials said there were issues faced during the April election, as it was the first one during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the commission was still able to serve 1.1 million voters with absentee ballots that were counted.

Reid Magney, WEC Public Information Officer, said the initial outbreak of the pandemic didn't give people as much time to figure out how to get and return absentee ballots at the correct time, as well as general confusion related to the virus. Another factor was people forgetting to get a witness signature and address on their absentee ballots.

"In April, everything was crazy and people were essentially afraid to go out of their houses," Magney said. "They couldn't figure it out, and didn't know anybody to get as a witness, but you've got to make sure you have a witness and you've got to make sure it gets there by Election Day."

Several thousand votes were not counted in April because of the missing witness signatures and addresses, according to Magney. Absentee ballots for the Partisan Primary on August 11 should be returned right away, if not sent in already. The ballot can also be taken to the local clerk's office or to an individuals polling site on Election Day.

Essentially, the April Election served as a test run, and Magney said the Partisan Primary will be a rehearsal for the presidential election in November. This, in part, is due to low voter turnout for Partisan Primary Elections.

"15 to 20 percent of eligible voters actually cast their ballot, as opposed to November when we're likely going to have 70 percent," Magney added. "You know more than three million people."

Many municipalities across the state are still in need of poll workers as well. The Wisconsin National Guard will help fill some of those spots for the August election.

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