After intense political back and forth, Wisconsin is set to hold its presidential primaries and elections for many state and local offices on Tuesday.
The controversial election day comes after the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned an executive order issued by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to delay in-person voting until June 9, followed by a U.S. Supreme Court order on Monday evening to cut off an extension for absentee voting.
The state had been the subject of criticism across the country throughout March, as more than a dozen other states delayed their elections due to coronavirus fears. Wisconsin officials issued a stay-at-home order for the state two weeks ago.
What is the structure of the election?
Wisconsin has an open primary, meaning that voters can request a ballot for either party's contest. Voters will have the option of casting their ballots in person Tuesday, but it may not be easy for those willing to go. Polling places were consolidated and modified to follow social distancing guidelines, and there's expected to be a shortage of about 7,000 poll workers as many decline to work amid the pandemic.
Voters can submit absentee ballots in person until 8 p.m. CT on Tuesday, the result of the last-minute U.S. Supreme Court ruling, overturning a federal judge's ruling that had extended the deadline until April 13. Absentee ballots submitted by mail will be accepted until 4 p.m. CT on that date, but must be postmarked by Tuesday (April 7).
A lower court ruling said that county clerks have to hold results until April 13, and yesterday's court action did not appear to change that.
What does a Wisconsin win mean for Sanders and Biden?
Former Vice President Biden maintains a significant delegate lead over Vermont Sen. Sanders, after winning a majority of state primaries in March.
According to NPR's delegate tracker, Biden has 1,217 pledged delegates and Sanders has 914 pledged delegates. Sanders would need 64% of the remaining delegates in play to win the nomination, while Biden needs 46% of remaining delegates.
Biden has solidly led polling in Wisconsin since early March.
The controversial election day comes after the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned an executive order issued by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to delay in-person voting until June 9, followed by a U.S. Supreme Court order on Monday evening to cut off an extension for absentee voting.The state had been the subject of criticism across the country throughout March, as more than a dozen other states delayed their elections due to coronavirus fears. Wisconsin officials issued a stay-at-home order for the state two weeks ago.
What is the structure of the election?
Wisconsin has an open primary, meaning that voters can request a ballot for either party's contest. Voters will have the option of casting their ballots in person Tuesday, but it may not be easy for those willing to go. Polling places were consolidated and modified to follow social distancing guidelines, and there's expected to be a shortage of about 7,000 poll workers as many decline to work amid the pandemic.
Voters can submit absentee ballots in person until 8 p.m. CT on Tuesday, the result of the last-minute U.S. Supreme Court ruling, overturning a federal judge's ruling that had extended the deadline until April 13. Absentee ballots submitted by mail will be accepted until 4 p.m. CT on that date, but must be postmarked by Tuesday (April 7).
A lower court ruling said that county clerks have to hold results until April 13, and yesterday's court action did not appear to change that.
What does a Wisconsin win mean for Sanders and Biden?
Former Vice President Biden maintains a significant delegate lead over Vermont Sen. Sanders, after winning a majority of state primaries in March.
According to NPR's delegate tracker, Biden has 1,217 pledged delegates and Sanders has 914 pledged delegates. Sanders would need 64% of the remaining delegates in play to win the nomination, while Biden needs 46% of remaining delegates.
Biden has solidly led polling in Wisconsin since early March.
by Elena Moore, NPR | Read more:
Image: Scott Trindl/AP
[ed. To be honest, with everything going on, I haven't been giving much attention to politics - especially politics in Wisconsin. However, from what I can tell, Biden has been opposed to delaying the election and somewhat ambiguous about closing in-person voting stations. I can understand wanting to maintain campaign momentum, but that kind of ambiguity in a pandemic doesn't exactly inspire a lot of confidence (in his leadership or the validity of the election). See also: Biden: Voting in Wisconsin Is Safe. Locals: It Could Kill Us (Yahoo News/Daily Beast); Wisconsin voters go to the polls in controversial election; and ‘I know what's at stake’: can Biden win over skeptical Sanders supporters? (The Guardian).]
