Newsroom blog: What to know for Tuesday’s Primary

Jay Phagan / CC

In case you haven’t heard by now, Wisconsinites will go to the polls Tuesday to decide a handful of statewide partisan primary races.

The two most high-profile races are the Democratic Senate and Republican Governor primaries, though the drama was zapped from one of those races last week when three Senate candidates dropped out in a matter of five days.

Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes is the last man standing in that race. Meaning Tuesday’s count is likely a formal confirmation that he will face incumbent Ron Johnson in November

Three Republican candidates are vying for the GOP nod in the Governor’s race. There’s also a crowded field of eight candidates on the Lieutenant Governor ballot including Stevens Point’s Patrick Testin.

Here’s what you should know before heading to your polling location on Tuesday if you haven’t already voted early:

• ID Required, as always bring your state-issued ID card such as a driver’s license with you, and be prepared to give your address out loud to the workers.
• Check your polling place- with the last census, some local districts have been shifted around. So if you haven’t already, visit the MyVote Wisconsin website and punch in your address. You can also verify your voter registration here, and if you’ve submitted an absentee ballot you can also check to see that it’s been accepted by the local clerk.
• VOTE ONE PARTY ONLY: Do not vote the entire ballot, or your vote will be tossed.
• Declare your party on the ballot- Remember in Wisconsin your political affiliation is not an official public record. Declare which party you are voting for at the top of the ballot, then vote for only those races leaving the others blank.
• If you have yet to turn in your absentee ballot, make sure you do so at City Hall. Wausau utilizes a central count, meaning your ballot will need to go there before being counted.
• Remember dropboxes are not in use. Most areas have locked those or covered them up.

Finally, for results make sure you check WSAU.com late Tuesday night for updates as we get them.