By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

The Associated Press reported that the statewide turnout for the August 13 primary election was approximately 26% of the voting age population, which was the highest in 60 years for a fall primary in a presidential year. 1825 ballots were cast in the City of Whitewater, representing approximately 37% of the 4890 registered voters. Nearly 35% of those ballots were cast absentee, which, for the first time, were processed at a “Central Count” location, the Community Room at the Municipal Building. It was the second local election that made use of the Badger Books electronic poll books, and the process appeared to work very efficiently. City personnel and election officials completed the Board of Canvass and were able to leave the polls by 10:30 p.m.

Just over 1.2 million people cast a ballot on each of two constitutional amendments which were proposed by the Republican majority legislature. Statewide about 58% voted no on the issues, though in the city, which traditionally leans Democratic, the measures were turned down by approximately 69% of the voters. It seems likely that the turnout in the city was driven significantly by the amendments, as there were no contested races on the Democratic side of the ballot. Nonetheless approximately 67% of the voters cast their ballots in the Democratic primary.

Constitutional amendment #1

	State	Walworth County	Jefferson County	City	City vote
No	57.5%	48 %	52%	69%	1197
Yes	42.5%	52%	48%	31%	542

U.S. Senate – Republican

Eric Hovde easily beat two opponents to win the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. He advances to the November general election, where he will face incumbent Tammy Baldwin.

	State	Walworth County	Jefferson County	City	City vote
Eric Hovde	86%	86%	86%	82%	481
Charles E. Barman	7%	9%	5%	11%	96
Rejani Raveendran	6%	5%	5%	7%	42

State Assembly District 43

This election was the first to be conducted with new district maps that were adopted in February for the State Senate and Assembly. Whitewater resident Brienne Brown ran for the Democratic nomination for the new district 43 unopposed. She will face Scott Johnson, a Republican incumbent who currently represents a different district. As a Jefferson area resident, if Johnson wins the November election he will have to move. Johnson bested opponent Dylan Kurtz in the city with 72% of the vote, which was very similar to the districtwide outcome.

Walworth County Register of Deeds

This race was the only contested Walworth County office. Republican Kathy Komstock, who was appointed to the position by Gov. Evers in January, 2024, won 69% of the vote against Michael Domino. In Whitewater her 223 votes out of 325 also amounted to 69%. She will run unopposed in November.