• Tweet
• Share
• Email
• Print

ASHWAUBENON - Voters took to the polls all across northeast Wisconsin Tuesday. Some saw it as a chance to make history, while others were upset that they had to vote at all.

In Appleton, voters braved lines to make their voices heard.

"That's the first time in a long time that I had to stand in line to vote for a non-Presidential election. It was surprising. There was a long line," said voter Richard Procknow.

"It's been busy all day. We've had lines outside for the first two hours after we opened the polls," said Appleton Chief Polling Inspector Brenda McCormick.

Poll workers say the lines were similar to the lines they see while working Presidential elections.

"At least that busy - if not more. It's almost like Wisconsin's own Presidential election," said McCormick.

In De Pere, poll workers were well-prepared for the crowds.

"We kind of had a feeling that this might happen, and so you try to prepare ahead if you can.. and you try to prepare your people," said De Pere Polling Inspector Barbara Dorn.

Many voters expressed their frustration with the recall process.

"I think today is an example of a travesty. I think we already have an election process. In this recall election, there are no criminal acts," said voter Justin Monnette from De Pere.

"We've become a nationwide source of controversy because of the different ways that we're doing things this year, and I hope that somebody learns something from it," said Appleton voter Don Fulcer.

Volunteers in Ashwaubenon said it was the busiest they had seen the polls in years.

"It's been very busy here today. When we opened up, the lines were out the door," said Polling Inspector Judy Schroeder.

Poll workers say that they also saw a large number of people registering for the very first time on Tuesday.