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Record voter turnout for historic election
Published November 4, 2008 - BizTimes Daily
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A record voter turnout is expected across America today, as the nation determines whether Republican John McCain or Democrat Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States.
More than 70 percent of the nation's eligible voters are expected to vote in this election, along with record numbers of new voters.
An average of polls published Monday by Pollster.com shows Obama leading of McCain by 7.1 percentage points. A new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll has Obama ahead by 8 points, while a Washington Post-ABC News tracking poll puts Obama ahead by 9 points.
A crowd of as many as 1 million people is expected to rally for Obama's bid to become America's first Black president tonight in Chicago's Grant Park.
To read about the perspectives of some of Milwaukee's Black leaders about today's election, read a previous post in the Milwaukee Biz Blog.
Although as much as a third of the eligible voters in Wisconsin already voted early with absentee ballots, long lines greeted voters this morning, even before the polls opened.
Eileen Force, communications director for Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, told WisPolitics.com this morning that the city is experiencing record voter turnout today, with very long lines at some polling sites.
"We are just telling people to be patient, and take the opportunity to meet their neighbors," Force said.
Contrary to today's Wall Street Journal that claimed the Milwaukee Police Department's Special Investigations Unit for election fraud was being disbanded, Force said the unit is not being disbanded and the story contained "some inaccuracies." Force said Barrett has had no discussion with police officials about disbanding the unit.
In the City of Milwaukee, voters will determine a binding referendum that, if approved, would require all employers in the city to provide a minimum amount of sick days for their employees. Members of the business community have said the mandate would be disastrous for the city.
Voters in 22 communities across Wisconsin will consider an advisory referendum that calls for health care insurance for all of the state's residents.
Voters in 34 school districts will face school spending referendums today.
All eight of the members of Wisconsin's Congressional delegation are up for re-election today, but all are expected to win.
One of the most-watched State Senate races today will be the hotly contested race between incumbent Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and Rep. Sheldon Wasserman (D-Milwaukee).
Wisconsin Republicans will gather at the Country Springs Hotel in Pewaukee at 8 p.m. and at "victory centers" across the state. The Pewaukee gathering is hosted by the Republican Party of Wisconsin, Waukesha County GOP and U.S. Reps. Paul Ryan and F. James Sensenbrenner and will be open to the public
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin will have two large events tonight, both starting at 9 p.m. U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, Rep. Gwen Moore and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett will headline the Milwaukee Election Night celebration at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Milwaukee. Gov. Jim Doyle and U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin will headline the Madison Election Night celebration at the Monona Terrace. Members of the public are welcome to attend both events.
With the record turnout and long lines at the polls after work today, the voting hours could conceivably be extended in some states, and the results of the election might not be known until Wednesday.
For ongoing coverage of the election, visit WisPolitics.com and WISN-Channel 12, media partners of BizTimes.
