Looking Ahead to November

By Cassandra Duvall

CREATED Aug. 14, 2012

  • Print

  • Tuesday’s Primary Election officials were expecting lower voter turnout, but many voters who did come out, are looking ahead to the presidential election in November. Video by nbc26.com

    video

APPLETON, WI – Tuesday’s Primary Election officials were expecting lower voter turnout, but many voters who did come out, are looking ahead to the presidential election in November.

 
At the District 7 polling place in Appleton, Chief Inspector, Kevin Loosen, said it is slow. 
 
"Turnout’s pretty low so far today," he said. 
 
They're seeing about a third of the voters they would in a November election.  
 
"I hope a lot of people come out in November. I hope people realize that things have to change need to change in this country, we can't give this country away," Jeffery Suhr, a voter. 
 
For the primary, the Government Accountability Board is predicting only about 20% of voter turnout. But that won’t be the case in November. 
 
"Presidential Elections are the highest voter turnout counties and municipalities see," said Lori O’Bright, Outagamie County Clerk. 
 
Clerks and poll workers are using the Primary as practice, even though we've had four elections already this year. 
 
"You learn something with every election," said O’Bright.
 
The Outagamie County Clerk said voters can use the Primary to get registered, find your polling place, and get familiar with the process, if you’re not already. 
 
"They have to come out. We have to be aware of what's going on in our world. For our younger generations," said Marlene Schirmacher, who voted today and is looking toward November. 
 
And having a Wisconsinite on the ballot in November may already be giving voters a reason to come out. 
 
"Oh yeah, it's totally pumping us all up. We're ready. We want to send Paul Ryan to the White House," said Hannah Szabo, an 18-year-old voter. 
 
"I think there's going to be a lot of excitement about that. I really do think it’s going to come down to the suburbs like Appleton and places like this, on how much in these neighborhoods, that come out to decide the Presidential Election," said Gary Zilavy, who votes in almost every election. 
 
The Outagamie County Clerk said her office will begin working on the November election as soon as the candidates are certified, by prepping ballots and getting voting machines ready.