Some communities plan to consolidate polling places for recall primaries

Talk about it

If you plan to vote in Tuesday’s state Senate recall primaries don’t assume that your normal polling place will be open.

State elections’ director Kevin Kennedy says some communities are consolidating their polling places to save money. Nine senators are up for recalls this summer.

Local clerks say the recall elections will cost an extra $465,000, in total, that wasn’t anticipated last fall when budgets were set.

Kennedy says he understands the financial constraints and it’s OK to consolidate polling places as long as governing body approve the changes a month in advance.

Kennedy says clerks should publicize any changes in the polling places because folks get in the habit of going to a particular place time after time.

The new law that requires photo IDs won’t be in effect until next year, but people will still be asked to show one this time.

The law also includes some other changes that take effect immediately. Voters must live at their present address for 28 days instead of the previous 10. They’ll have to sign in at the polls. And absentee voting will end the Friday before each election.

Andrea Kaminski of the League of Women Voters says the system seems to be “stacked against the voter,” and people need to be ready. Up-to-date polling places and other information can be found on a state Web site at vpa.wi.gov.

Tags: news, government, legislature