Wisconsin

On August 13, Wisconsin held its state primary, deciding the nominees for various federal, state, and local positions. In addition, there were two ballot questions presented to voters. Overall, administration went smoothly across the state. Turnout was remarkably high for a presidential election year primary at 26% of the voting-age population casting ballots. Despite this engagement, voter registration continues to lag slightly behind that of the 2020 election cycle, though the gap is shrinking.

Wisconsin, a state that is relatively evenly divided between Republican and Democratic voters, is commonly considered a battleground state, a key region for presidential candidates to win. Against the backdrop of such a politically divided state, election administration has been a priority for legislators. On top of this, ongoing legislative changes and power struggles–many of which were in response to the 2020 election–have complicated preparations for the upcoming general election. This report analyzes the 2024 presidential primary and spring election and the narratives in election administration that are developing within the state to situate the status of elections in Wisconsin as the 2024 general election nears.