MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – Voters in Wisconsin turned out during Tuesday’s primary in bigger numbers than expected.
Before the spring election, the state Government Accountability Board projected a 40 percent turnout. However, unofficial results show that the turnout was 47.4 percent, which is the biggest since Wisconsin had a 45.65 percent turnout in 1980.
Tuesday’s numbers, if they hold, would be the largest voter turnout since 1972 when 47.7 percent of Wisconsinites came out to support Democrat George McGovern in a crowded Democratic primary and Republican Richard Nixon.
In the city of Appleton, 27,187 residents cast ballots Tuesday. Officials say that translates to a 67 percent voter turnout for not just the presidential preference primary, but for a mayoral race won by incumbent Tim Hanna.
The city of Madison tweeted that their final voter turnout was 66 percent.
