MONROE — Wisconsin voters went to the polls on Aug. 13 and had a turnout higher than any fall primary in 60 years.
About 26% of eligible voters cast a ballot — about 1.2 million total — a mark not seen since 1964. While many local races were uncontested, candidates in state assembly and congressional races were forced to sweat out the night as the tallies came in.
Perhaps the biggest driver of turnout, though, was to make a decision on two constitutional amendment questions put forth by state GOP lawmakers. Both were resoundingly turned down by voters, with over 57% of the votes going to “no”, a margin of about 15 points. The two proposals would have limited the governor’s power over federal funds, which is considered a big win for Democrats, which have current governor Tony Evers in office.
“This was a referendum on our administration’s work and the future for Wisconsin we’ve been working hard to build together, and the answer is reflected in the people’s vote tonight,” Evers said Tuesday night in a statement.
Other mildly contested races saw Madison-based Eric Olsen defeat Charity Barry in the Republican primary for the 2nd Congressional District. Olsen will now face off against incumbent Democrat Mark Pocan in November.
In Green County, Olsen tipped Barry by a single vote. In Lafayette County, Barry outpaced her opponent 732-610.
According to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, there were 1,878 absentee ballot applications, with 1,861 sent out in Green County. Of that, 1,531 were returned, a rate of 82.2%. In Lafayette County, 503 absentee ballot applications were requested, with 498 sent and 400 returned (80.3%).
In total, there were 389,988 absentee ballots requested, with 385,057 sent and 316,372 returned (82.1%).
Wisconsin Fall Primary Election
August 13, 2024
All results unofficial
Local results are available online:
Green County: https://tinyurl.com/2kc6524r
Lafayette County: https://tinyurl.com/3zm4fz6h
Statewide Races
Democratic House Districts, District 2
Mark Pocan 149,577, 100%
Republican House Districts, District 2
Erik Olsen 23,036, 56.3%
Charity Barry 17,894, 43.7%
Referendum — Question 1:
Yes 521,191, 43%
No 703,607, 57%
Referendum — Question 2
Yes 520,946, 42%
No 705,737, 58%
Local Results
Green County
Party Preference:
Democratic 4,972, Republican 3,579, Constitution 5, Libertarian 17, Wisconsin Green 9
United States Senator — Dem:
Tammy Baldwin 4,809
Rep in Congress, District 2 — Dem:
Mark Pocan 4,608
Rep to the Assembly, District 50 — Dem:
Jenna Jacobson 4,470
County Clerk — Dem:
Arianna Voegeli 4,466
County Treasurer — Dem:
Dawn Marie Sass 4,363
United States Senator — Rep:
Eric Hovde 2,933, Charles E. Barman 271, Rejani Raveendran 280
Rep in Congress, District 2 — Rep:
Erik Olsen 1,701, Charity Barry 1,700
Rep to the Assembly, District 50 — Rep:
Rich Johnson 2,770
District Attorney — Rep:
Craig Nolen 2,707
County Treasurer — Rep:
Jayne M. Butts 2,711
Register of Deeds — Rep:
Deanna Miller-Young 2,572
State Ref — Q1: delegation of appropriation power
Yes 3,194, 37%
No 5,612, 63%
State Ref — Q1: Allocation of federal moneys
Yes 3,198, 37%
No 5,615, 63%
Lafayette County
United States Senator — Dem:
Tammy Baldwin 1,341
Rep in Congress, District 2 — Dem:
Mark Pocan 1,240
Rep to the Assembly, District 51 — Dem:
Elizabeth Grabe 1,197
United States Senator — Rep:
Eric Hovde 1,140, Charles E. Barman 139, Rejani Raveendran 85
Rep in Congress, District 2 — Rep:
Erik Olsen 610, Charity Barry 732
Rep to the Assembly, District 51 — Rep:
Todd Novak 1,274
Lafayette County District Attorney — Rep:
Jenna Gill 1,181
Lafayette County Clerk — Rep:
Carla Jacobson 1,277
Lafayette County Treasurer — Rep:
Lisa Black 1,272
Lafayette County Register of Deeds — Rep:
Cathay Paulson 1,248
Referendum — Question 1:
Yes 1,232, 43%
No 1,630, 57%
Referendum — Question 2
Yes 1,239, 44%
No 1,625, 56%
