Though the GOP primary for U.S. Senate is undoubtedly an important race, primaries traditionally have a smaller voter turnout than other elections.
That, coupled with an election hangover from this summer's hotly contest recalls also adds to less voter enthusiasm.
By 6 p.m., at Marathon Park in Wausau, things remained at a slow and steady pace. The Government Accountability Board predicted just 20 percent of voters would show their support for candidates Tuesday.
The chief inspector at the Marathon Park polling place says primaries aren't enough to bring out large numbers of voters.
"There are less people that are coming out, a lot of times a primary will do that, people for some reason don't care to vote in primaries," said Kathleen Burkhardt.
She says things went smoothly Tuesday, though some voters did get snagged up with the rules of a partisan primary.
Voters were required to stay within party lines. If they voted for candidates in two different parties, their ballot was rejected. Those voters were given another opportunity to vote, however.
Poll workers were relieved at the ease of Tuesday's election, after this summer's busy recalls.
It's also the calm before the storm. Novembers election will undoubtedly bring out big numbers with the Presidential race on the ballot.
