Wisconsin is between a rock and a hard place

[MineralMan]

with regard to today's primary election. On one side is the concern over the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing risk to in-person voting. On the other side is the fact that the Governor of Wisconsin is not legally able to extend the time for absentee balloting, according to both state and federal courts.

Republican legislators, who control the WI legislature, refused to take up an emergency change of date or change of voting methods. So, the election goes on today. Probably the legislators were concerned that allowing more time would enable more Democrats to vote and affect the WI Supreme Court election that also happens today. They're probably wrong, though.

We should look at today's election as a harbinger of the future, actually. It may be something we'll all be facing in November's General Election, and also in other presidential primaries.

Voting is a state function, and is generally controlled by legislation in each state, as to time, place, and methods of voting. Republicans generally prefer fewer people voting, and so may well attempt to block any changes that make voting easier. That's their general strategy, since high turnouts generally mean more Democrats elected.

In Wisconsin today, television coverage at polling places show that people are coming out to vote, despite the risk of doing so. How many will turn out, and which party they represent as voters, remains to be seen.

In future primaries and in the General Election, it is very likely that we will still be dealing with COVID-19. In your state, it will be best if you can vote absentee by mail, for your own safety. So, please find out what is required to do so in your state, and do it. Help others vote safely, as well.

When Democrats vote in high numbers, Democratic candidates win. Let's not let Republicans dictate who votes and who does not. Vote, and encourage those you know to vote as well. So much depends on it. Vote safely, but vote. If there is no way for you to vote by mail or on an absentee ballot, vote anyway and follow all guidelines to protect your health.

We MUST vote! There is no workable alternative.

[LongtimeAZDem]

1. Edited: I Withdraw my previous statement, and I give my thanks to all those below for their arguments

[MineralMan]

3. Perhaps so. It will avail him nothing, though.

That die has been cast.

[MineralMan]

6. Bernie Sanders has slipped below my threshold of attention, frankly.

He has become irrelevant to the 2020 presidential race. The sooner he realizes that, the better.

[liskddksil]

7. This has absolutely nothing to do with Bernie Sanders. There is a critical Supreme Court

Seat on the ballot today. Do some research before making false assertions.

[AleksS]

22. It would. It is.

WI republicans are absolutely willing to kill men women and children for that SC seat. Kelly is currently serving in the WI Sup. Court, and though he recused himself, it’s why of course the SC voted to maintain elections in person today.

The SC in WI is high powered , and relied on by the WI GOP in the legislature to back up the skeezy stuff they’re always pulling. It’s why SC races in WI run into the millions of dollars of campaign spending.

WI GOP is the dirtiest in the nation. Now they’re adding murder to their rap sheet.

[ewagner]

29. That is correct!

Very few people I've talked to have any passion for the Primary vote...it's Supreme Court...


and

flying waaaay below the radar...this is the election of LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS ACROSS THE STATE...

City Aldermen
County Board Supervisors
Mayors
all non-partisan County Officials
Township and Village Boards and Chairpersons

The Republican not only refused to do the "by-mail" voting, they failed to amend the statutes so that all local officials currently holding office could hold their seats until a "mail-in" or an "in-person" election could be held to replace them...the current statutes says that ALL those positions expire on the Third Tuesday of April! NO EXCEPTIONS!
The Repubs refused to address that...the result would have been chaos!

[Politicub]

9. I haven't thought about it in this way

But you're right. If Sanders would drop out, then the presidential primary would be moot.

Still, there may be local issues or races that are on the ballot. I agree with RBG that not allowing Wisc. to move it primary to June will disenfranchise many people, though.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

27. This really doesn't have much to do with Bernie. The GOP are trying to

keep a conservative on the state supreme court. That's what this election is really about. The GOPers believe that a low turnout means they win - but Republican voters will also have to come out to vote; I hardly think they all have voted by absentee ballot.

[rzemanfl]

2. The number of voters in Waukesha County is likely to show whether Repukes

are out in droves or not.

[MineralMan]

4. It will be interesting to see who turns out.

The situation is complicated by there being no primary opponent for Trump. That will probably reduce Republican turnout considerably.

[rzemanfl]

8. It's all about the Wisconsin Supreme Court. n/t

[MineralMan]

10. That race is interesting, but only to some voters, really.

Is it a race worth risking one's health? I think not.

Judicial races generally, even at the state Supreme Court level, do not drive voter turnout very heavily. This year, that's probably even more true, given the risks of in-person voting.

I'll await the results with some interest. Perhaps we'll know more tomorrow morning.

Since I live one state to the West of Wisconsin, I hope to see results in my morning paper.

[AleksS]

24. They drive folks here in WI.

The ads, signs, and campaigning for this SC spot are staggering.

GOP knows they need the state SC to keep getting away with their dirty shenanigans.

The SC race here is a bigger deal than the presidential primary. It’s all the AM Right wing radio stations talk about, 24-7. They don’t care about Bernie/Biden, but they’re sure frothing at the mouth to get Kelly elected.

[rzemanfl]

25. Look at the video here-

https://www.democraticunderground.com/108424686

[MineralMan]

26. Looks like a pretty substantial turnout.

It also looks like most people are distancing OK.

[ewagner]

31. Waukesha County!

where they ALWAYS have a 99% turnout

where they ALWAYS find just enough votes at 11PM to bring a Republican across the finish line..

[rzemanfl]

34. You've seen the cartoon, right?

&exph=468&expw=550&q=cartoon%2c+it+all+comes+down+to+waukesha+county&selectedindex=0&ajaxhist=0&vt=0

[ewagner]

36. Thanks

[rzemanfl]

38. De nada. n/t

[The Magistrate]

11. True, Sir

It is going to be hard to avoid extension of voting by mail for the NIvember election.





"When things are not called by their right names, what is said cannot make sense. When what is said does not make sense, what is planned cannot succeed. When plans do not succeed, people become uneasy. When people are uneasy, punishments do not fit crimes. When punishments do not fit crimes, people cannot know where to put hand or foot."

[MineralMan]

12. Depending on the individual states,

there may well be such extensions. But, state legislators will probably be called on to make that possible. Generally, the place, time, and methods of voting are a matter of legislation. In some states, where voting restrictions are the goal of Republicans, extensions may not be allowed, I fear.

I hope voters will take such matters under consideration and plan ahead to make sure they can cast their ballot.

[ewagner]

32. This gives us a hammer to support that position.

Republican friends are calling Evers "stupid"....

I
don't
think
so

[frazzled]

13. Those who view voting as a civil obligation and essential service to country and state

will come out. Understandably, many will not wish to take the risk. And they should not if they feel uncomfortable or have high risk.

We had to make that decision in March, when our state went ahead with its scheduled voting date of March 17. It was before the stay-at-home order was in place, but already a large concern, especially for those of us over sixty. We had not applied for mail-in ballots and were planning to vote on election day, as is our normal practice, except for the few times when we knew we would be out of state on election day. However, we did decide to go instead to one of the early voting sites, on March 13, in advance of election day. Felt it was our duty, just as we ask our service members, and now our health care workers and others, to put themselves in danger.

We chose a time when when we thought it might be less crowded (2 pm). It was: maybe only 5 or so other people voting. The check-in table was stocked with hand sanitizer, and the voting booths allowed us to be separated from others. We wore protective gloves (though not masks yet) and brought our own hand sanitizer. Three and a half weeks later, and sheltering in place since that time, we are still okay.

It is more risky today, as the virus spreads, so my empathy goes out to Wisconsinites who must make the decision. I would hope people make it: stand six feet apart, wear latex gloves and a mask if you can, wash or sanitize hands immediately. It will probably be no more risky than making the weekly trip to the grocery.

[MineralMan]

14. As you say, if you take precautions, voting is no more risky

than a trip to the grocery store. We are all going out as necessary, and voting is very necessary.

[Kahuna]

15. Most likely those repubs are hoping Bernie can pull out a win to keep this going. nt

[MineralMan]

16. Doubtful, I think. They're only interested in the Supreme Court race.

Even Republicans can see that Sanders has lost already.

[Kahuna]

18. I still believe they are following trump's lead and rooting for bernie. nt

[MineralMan]

19. Precious few, I believe, are doing that.

Otherwise, Senator Sanders would be doing better than he is. Since he is losing massively, I don't think that strategy is working.

[Kahuna]

20. Whatever. You're entitled to your own opinion. I've been watching repubs..

long enough to know how they roll.

[MineralMan]

21. I'm just watching the primary election results, really.

The strategy you mention is not helping Sanders.

[Kahuna]

23. It doesn't matter that it's not helping him. Tara Reade

isn't helping either. That doesn't stop ratfers from doing what they do.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

33. No, they don't care about that. The state supreme court is the big deal here.

[exboyfil]

28. Five voting locations for Milwaukee

The election is a sham, and I hope the Democrats craft a narrative for the Fall election from it.

At some point the GOP is going to come after your rights too (they already have, you just don't know it).

[Jimbo S]

30. This is a mess

Only five locations due to not enough volunteers to man the polls.

I vote Dem, but I hold the Dem Governor just as responsible for this mess as the GOP.

[rzemanfl]

35. Why? n/t

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

37. Because the gov called out national guard to do the job of the pollworkers who cant come. So WHERE

are they posted? Why arent there enough in Milw to keep poll locations open????????????

[rzemanfl]

39. I'm in Florida and was not aware of this. n/t