Voter Turnout Exceeds 50 Percent At Some Caledonia Polls

UPDATE 2 p.m.: at St. Andrew Lutheran, the number of votes counted had reached 50 percent of their total registered voters. The total number of registered voters in their wards is 2,378 and by 2 p.m., they had already had 1,023 ballots and 180 absentee ballots.

UPDATE 12:45 p.m.: John Barnes, the polling inspector at Grace Church, said they would definitely see more voters than they did during the recall primary in May. Poll workers turned one voter away because she only had an Illinois driver’s license and a piece of mail.

A number of African-American voters, 20somethings and first-time voters showed up to the polls.

Trentin Morrison, 27, is a corrections officer for the State of Wisconsin and he had only voted in the last two elections, he said.

“I’m a state worker,” he said. “And I don’t like what Walker is doing to us. It’s ridiculous that he’s taking away our rights… You can definitely tell that he’s not for the working man.”

ORIGINAL STORY: In the morning, Caledonia poll workers said the election was off to a smooth start and they have seen high turnout, with residents steadily trickling in throughout the day.

The final chapter in a historic bid to unseat Gov. Scott Walker began at 7 this morning when voters headed to the polls.

Caledonia poll workers said the election was off to a smooth start and they have seen high turnout, with residents steadily trickling in throughout the day.

Terry Kumm, who was overseeing the polling place at St. Louis Church, 13207 Hwy G, said people have been "very nice and very cooperative."

The line moved relatively fast in the mid-morning hours, with voters spending just a few minutes waiting to cast their ballot.

Just over 270 people had voted by 9:10 a.m. Kumm said the turnout was high though not quite as much as a presidential election.

At Prince of Peach church, 4340 6 Mile Road, things have been steady and busy, chief inspector Liz Kocjan said.

Kocjan predicted turnout would be higher than the 60 percent that has been predicted. More than 400 people had voted by 9:30 a.m.

Kocjan said about 20 people were lined up when the polls opened at 7 a.m.

"A lot of people are really adamant about getting out to vote," she said. "I wish all the elections were like this."

Outside the church, resident Ray Kujawa said he voted for Barrett because of what he viewed as dishonesty by Walker.

"The man cannot speak straight," he said, as he stood next to a woman wearing a sticker that said, "I am a senior and my taxes went up this year, Mr. Walker."