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Absentee Ballots Could Sway Circuit Court Outcome

More than 400 outstanding absentee ballots from municipalities throughout the county could impact the final outcome of the race between judicial candidates Mark Nielsen and Timothy Boyle for Branch 10 of the Racine County Circuit Court.

 

When the unofficial tallies came in Tuesday, Timothy Boyle led Mark Nielsen by 61 votes in the race for Branch 10 of the Racine County Circuit Court.

While there was speculation a recount might be in order, the number of absentee ballots that have yet to be counted is greater than the votes that separate the two candidates. More than 400 absentee ballots countywide have not been added to the totals. Because those ballots have a last deadline for receipt by their respective municipalities of 4 pm Friday — and won't be counted until Monday morning — there's no telling whether or not they'll have an impact on the outcome of this election.

"There are absentee ballots that could tip the balance, but we don't know because they haven't been opened yet," said Wendy Christiansen, Racine County clerk.

In the City of Racine, there are 212 absentee ballots, City Clerk Janice Johnson-Martin confirmed. Another 228 or so will come in from around the county.

Mount Pleasant Village Clerk/Treasurer Veronica Rudychev said there are 75 absentee ballots while over in Sturtevant, Clerk/Deputy Treasurer Mary Cole has four.

"The number of outstanding ballots doesn't mean that's the number we'll get back," Cole said. "It really is a toss-up."

Both Rudychev and Cole have set aside time Monday to do their canvassing before transmitting any amended results to Christiansen at the County where canvassing is set for Tuesday.

"All municipalities in Racine County have to have any amended returns to me by 4 pm Monday," she stated. "We will start our Board of Canvass Tuesday morning."

According to the Village of Caledonia Clerk Kari Torkilsen, there are 71 outstanding ballots in that municipality, but any absentee ballots that were returned by election day were counted and included in the return totals.

Related Topics: April 2012 elections, Branch 10, Mark Nielsen, Racine County Circuit Court, and Timothy Boyle

mau

2:44 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012

Everybody is in such a big sweat to announce a winner as soon as the polls close. Then when numbers change, the accusations start flying. Maybe what they should start implementing is a practice of NOT announcing any winners until all votes have been counted. And the media should not be putting "100%", when 100% of the votes haven't been counted.

There may also be provisional ballots. "A provisional ballot will not be counted unless the voter provides the required information to the poll workers or the municipal clerk by 4:00 p.m. of the Friday following the election."

If there are 400 absentee ballots that haven't been counted, wouldn't this impact the vote totals for other races too?

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James R Hoffa

3:03 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012

Excellent points mau! You should see how they're trashing Kathy Nicholaus over on the Waukesha Patch just because she was a little slow in adding up the totals as they came in from different wards and municipalities on election night.

I guess speed trumps quality and accuracy for most in today's society. What a sad state of affairs for our country!

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mau

3:17 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012

I was looking for a Patch story about Nicholaus. I will defend her or anyone in her position, no matter what their party position is. Her mistake was letting them even look at tapes. She should have stood her ground and told them they have no right to those numbers until all the votes are justified.

Kim

2:55 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012

Wow I thought everyone had to vote on Tuesday and the poles close at 8pm for a reason right? This is crap!

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mau

3:12 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012

Read the voting rules. There is no way to have a vote tally when the polls close at 8PM. People get to vote up to 8PM and absentee ballots need to be recorded and counted.

James R Hoffa

3:00 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012

Even though Boyle has been vocally critical of Walker, he's still the better choice over Obama supporter Nielsen!

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mau

3:19 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012

Everyone should work as a poll worker at least once, to see how the process works.

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Gary Bublitz

8:51 pm on Friday, April 6, 2012

You know - You folks blow all the Hot Air, but are so afraid to come out from behind your curtain. Get a life - why are you so afraid to let people know who you really are? I think that's because you stand behind and for all the crap!!!

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James R Hoffa

9:02 pm on Friday, April 6, 2012

What are you talking about - I'm James R Hoffa, the real deal Holyfield baby!

Just check my Patch profile if you want proof!

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jt

3:15 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012

your right gary! this hoffa guy is just as fake as the the republicans who are running as fake democrats. nothing real about any off the exept that they are paid bloggers spreading the propaganda of the gop!

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