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Voter turnout higher than '17
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MONROE - The relatively high turnout by Monroe voters during the spring primary Tuesday may be indicative of the upcoming 2018 election cycle as the spring general approaches.

City Clerk Arianna Voegeli said a total of 714 votes was nearly 200 more than the 2017 spring primary to decide between three candidates for State Superintendent of Public Instruction: incumbent Tony Evers, or challengers Lowell Holtz or John Humphries.

"It was a higher turnout than what we were expecting," Voegeli said.

Spring primaries serve the purpose of narrowing down the field of candidates for one position. If more than two seek a spot, a February primary election must be held to choose the pair before a spring general election in April can be held.

On Tuesday, local voters chose between three candidates for Wisconsin Justice of the Supreme Court after Mike Gableman announced his retirement following a decade on the court. Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Rebecca Dallet, Sauk County Circuit Judge Michael Screnock and Madison-based attorney Tim Burns were the ballot choices.

Dallet won the city with 270 votes in her favor, though Screnock followed closely behind with 251 votes. Burns had the least with 191, knocking him out of the race for the seat.

Voegeli said there were 24 absentee ballots remaining to be counted.

At the county level, Dallet took the top spot as well with nearly 37 percent of the total 3,062 votes cast throughout Green County. Unofficial results list Dallet received 1,123 votes, Screnock had 1,108 and Burns received 825.

The city could see a higher turnout trend throughout the rest of the year, Voegeli noted, given the number of anticipated races.

An upcoming spring election will choose between Dallet and Screnock in addition to all 31 Green County Board Supervisors, the mayoral and Monroe Common Council race, members of the school board and a statewide referendum regarding the state treasurer position. A governor will be chosen during the November general election. Both federal and state senators and assembly members and offices of Green County, such as clerk of court, coroner and sheriff will also be voted on in addition to any possible school or municipal referenda not yet finalized for the ballot.