Not a big primary turnout expected in La Crosse County

Senate and Congressional races don’t boost numbers

Two years ago, only 11 percent voted in August primaries in La Crosse.

This year, it’s not going to be much higher, despite primary races for Congress and State Senate, La Crosse County Clerk Ginny Dankmeyer thought.

The statewide prediction for the August 9 primary is 16 per cent. Dankmeyer also expects around a 16 per cent turnout for La Crosse County, up to maybe 20 per cent at  the most.  She says participation in elections in “the middle of summer” is pretty low in general.  Compare that to the possible turnout for the presidential vote in November.  Dankmeyer says local turnout was 85 per cent in the fall of 2012, when Barack Obama was re-elected. 

Primary races on the August 9 ballot include one involving Democratic Congressman Ron Kind from La Crosse. He’s facing a far left challenge by Bernie Sanders supporter, Myron Buchholz.

Both Republicans and Democrats have primaries in the 32nd State Senate district, currently represented by Dem. incumbent Jennifer Shilling.