News – November 7, 2016

Election Day Preview

11/7/16 – Election Day is tomorrow and there are a number of state legislative races that Dodge County voters will see on their ballots. In Assembly District 39, Republican incumbent Mark Born of Beaver Dam is seeking his third term. Born is being challenged by Democrat Jim Zahn of rural Juneau. Republican incumbent John Jagler of Watertown is a former broadcaster who was first elected to Assembly District 37 in 2012. Democrat Jordan Turner, a college student from Watertown, is hoping to unseat Jagler. Democrat George Ferriter, a former Doylestown Village President, is hoping to be seated in Assembly District 42. Republican Keith Ripp of the Town of Dane was first seated District 42 in 2013 after serving five years in District 47.

In the State Senate, Republican incumbent Luther Olson is trying is facing a challenge for his District 14 seat from Democrat Brian Smith. In District 18, Republican Dan Feyen is facing Democrat Mark Harris for the seat previously held by Senator Rick Gudex who died last month. In Congress, longtime Representative Jim Sensenbrenner is being challenged for his District Five seat by Democrat Khary Penebaker. In the Sixth Congressional District, Republican Glenn Grothman is seeking a second term. Grothman has two challengers. Democrat Sarah Lloyd and Independent candidate Jeff Dahlke.

There are also school funding referenda is Beaver Dam, Waupun, Hustisford and Campbellsport. The Beaver Dam School District is seeking $48.9-million dollars primarily for an overhaul of the high school but also for safe, secure entrances at all elementary school buildings. Waupun voters will see a $36-million-dollar referendum question intended to bolster learning areas for students of all ages by making elementary classrooms age appropriate and enhancing the career-readiness space in the high school.  The $5.6-million-dollar referendum in Hustisford would provide secure entrances, a new gymnasium, infrastructure upgrades and three new classrooms at the elementary school. The $23-million-dollar referendum in Campbellsport is for improvements to the middle-high school.

Village of Campbellsport voters will be asked Tuesday to allow the village to create a village administrator’s position. Village Board President David Krebs says that person would oversee day-to-day operations and economic development opportunities, something he and the board currently handle. He says if voters approve the referendum they would try out the position for about three years beginning in 2018 and would have to levy to pay for the salary.

Just because someone does not have an acceptable form of identification to present tomorrow at the polls does not mean that person cannot cast a ballot.  During a recent edition of WBEV’s Community Comment program, Dodge County Clerk Karen Gibson explained the provisional balloting process. Gibson says the Department of Motor Vehicles is prepared to issue IDs in an expedited manner.  She says anyone who does not have an acceptable photo ID to present tomorrow can cast a provisional ballot, which requires the person to return to their municipal clerk’s office by 4 pm Friday with the newly-acquired ID.  Gibson says anyone who plans to submit a provisional ballot should visit their local DMV office tomorrow or Wednesday to ensure the necessary document arrives prior to Friday’s 4 pm deadline.  Provisional ballots are only necessary if a person is unable to present one of the many acceptable forms of identification at the polls.  The clerk says acceptable photo IDs include: a Wisconsin driver’s license/identification card or receipt, United States military card, United States passport, Veteran’s Affairs identification card, and identification card from a Wisconsin university/college/technical school that is accompanied by proof of enrollment. Gibson says anyone casting a provisional ballot tomorrow should be prepared to fill out multiple forms at their polling location that are tied to the provisional balloting process.