Local voting mirrors turnout predictions

By SHELLY BIRKELO
Wednesday, April 8, 2009

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JANESVILLE — Voter turnout Tuesday in Rock County fell between statewide and local predictions.

While the state predicted a 20 percent turnout, Rock County Clerk Lori Stottler thought it might be between 14 and 16 percent.

Actually, it was 18 percent in Rock County, according to Stottler.

Of the 101,100 registered voters in Rock County, 18,126 cast ballots, Stottler said.

She noted "no unusual events were reported."

A number of things can impact voter turnout Stottler said Monday. This includes schools being on spring break, coming off a recent presidential election, weather and uncontested races.

In Janesville, eight candidates competed for five seats on the Janesville School Board. Another 10 candidates, including write-in candidate Julie Backenkeller, were in the race for four spots on the Janesville City Council.

Of the unofficial 1,038 write-in votes for Janesville City Council, Stottler couldn't say today how many were for Julie Backenkeller.

"When the results come in electronically, it comes in as a total just counting how many people crossed the arrow," Stottler said.

Write-in totals won't be confirmed until Thursday's board of canvas, when Stottler said she would get an exact breakout for Backenkeller.

Walworth County Clerk Kimberly Bushey reported 16 percent of the county's 78,333 eligible voters went to the polls. That's lower than April 2008, when about 20 percent turn out, Bushey said.


Published at: http://www.GazetteXtra.com/news/2009/apr/08/local-voting-mirrors-turnout-predictions/