Tim Ryan, tryan@shawanoleader.com
Judging by the level of absentee voting in the city of Shawano, turnout for Tuesday’s primary election could be huge.
Shawano Deputy Clerk Lesley Nemetz said absentee voting in the city as of Friday had surpassed even the presidential primary in 2012.
There were 214 absentee voters in that election, and 215 as of Friday afternoon for Tuesday’s.
There are few statewide choices for Republican voters to make on Tuesday.
Democratic voters have a few contested primary races to decide, including picking the Democratic choice to challenge Gov. Scott Walker in November and the attorney general candidate who will challenge Republican Brad Schimel.
Tuesday’s main event for Shawano County voters, however, appears to be the Republican primary race between incumbent Sheriff Randy Wright and Shawano police officer Adam Bieber.
“Obviously, it’s a huge draw,” said Nemetz, who called the absentee voting levels “impressive.”
The city mailed out 101 absentee ballots. Another 47 voted at city nursing homes.
The most telling numbers as far as predicting voter turnout Tuesday might be those who physically turned out at City Hall to cast their absentee ballots. Thirty-nine voters did that in the 2012 presidential primary; 67 have done that for Tuesday’s election.
Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday and close at 8 p.m.
Voters who haven’t already done so can register to vote the same day. They will have to show proof of residence, such as a driver’s license, utility bill or bank statement.
Nemetz said because this is a partisan primary, the ballots are a little tricky.
“You have to pick a party and stick in that party,” she said.
Voters in the Republican primary race for sheriff will see the names of three candidates, including one who is not running.
Shawano Sheriff’s Department Capt. Tom Tuma withdrew from the race, but made his exit too late to keep his name off the ballot.
Tuma has asked voters not to vote for him.