Biden visit not expected to lower Election Day turnout

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin voters will have one statewide race on ballots Tuesday, Feb 16.

Seven candidates are competing to become the next state superintendent.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission said they do not expect that many voters will weigh in.

“Generally in a primary like this, turnout is historically low," Wisconsin Elections Commission spokesperson Reid Magney said. "You know, around 10 percent or less.”

The Milwaukee Election Commission said the weather won’t help.

But they do not think President Joe Biden’s Milwaukee appearance will have a negative impact.

“We worked really closely with MPD and the Secret Service to make sure that Zeidler, which is downtown near the Pabst Theater, wouldn’t be impacted by the president’s visit,” Milwaukee Election Commission Director Claire Woodall-Vogg said.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says Biden’s visit might actually drive voters to the polls.

“In an unusual way, I think it has already boosted turnout for the election in the city," Barrett said. "More people have talked about the election in the past four or five days than they have in the last four or five months.”

Absentee ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Pickup from Milwaukee ballot drop-off boxes ends at 5 p.m.

The Milwaukee Election Commission says they are utilizing the same safety precautions you saw in the presidential election.

“Nothing should be different other than even less wait times than in November,” Woodall-Vogg said.

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