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Turnout low in spring election

Photo

Lori Stottler

Rock County had fewer voters than expected for Tuesday’s election, and Walworth County had about the same number as in previous years, county clerks said.

Rock County had 13.7 percent of eligible voters cast ballots, compared to 17.9 percent in the 2009 spring general election.

Walworth County had 16 percent of its eligible voters turn out, the same as last spring’s election.

The state’s Government Accountability Board predicted turnout statewide to be between 9 and 11 percent, a slight increase from the February primary, when turnout was 7 percent. Only about one in 10 eligible voters was expected to vote.

By comparison, presidential elections draw up to 70 percent of eligible voters to the polls. Local elections often attract about 20 percent.

This year, the election was at the same time as spring break in many school districts. It is unknown whether that affected turnout, county clerks said.

Rock County Clerk Lori Stottler said fewer contested races and a lack of political spirit could have contributed to low turnout. She said the public was informed of the election.

“If you didn’t know there was an election today, you were living under a rock,” Stottler said.

Kim Bushey, Walworth County clerk, said turnout was about what she expected.

“In looking at the previous years’ statistics, it looks like a typical turnout for Walworth County,” she said.

In Rock County, 12,098 of 121,372 eligible voters went to the polls. In Walworth County, 12,729 of 78,969 eligible voters cast ballots.