Tuesday, February 21st is our Primary Election day in Wisconsin. On the ballot statewide: candidates for the head of the state education agency. There are three candidates vying to be chosen as Superintendent of the WI Department of Public Instruction. The top two vote-getters will advance to the general election in April. The past three times that there’s been a primary for this race, the voter turnout has averaged only 5.9%.
This year’s candidates are current superintendent Tony Evers, John Humpries, and Lowell Holtz. Rick Melcher is also running a write-in campaign. Evers, Humphries and Melcher sat down with us on A Public Affair to explain why they are seeking the job. (Holtz declined an appearance.) The winner will serve a four-year term. Take a listen:
In Madison, there are also two competitive races for school board. There are seven seats on the Madison Metropolitan School District board. Each of the two seats are elected at-large by all voters in the district. Each board member serves for three years.
For Seat 6, there are three candidates: Cris Carusi, Ali Muldrow, and Kate Toews. There is no incumbent in this race.
There are also three candidates vying for Seat 7 on the School Board: Matt Andrzejewski, incumbent Ed Hughes, and Nicki Vander Muelen.
Polls are open from 7a.m. until 8p.m. on Tuesday, February 21st. Voter ID is in effect, so you’ll need to bring a photo ID with you to the polls.