Primary Election Preview: Voter ID, New Polling Place, Candidate Info

The hottest ticket for Tuesday’s primary election is a citywide vote that will trim a three-candidate race for mayor to two.

Mayoral candidates include Ald. Peter Donegan; Kathy Ehley, executive director of the Village Business Improvement District; and political newcomer John Pokrandt. The candidates are vying to replace former Mayor Jill Didier, who resigned at the close of 2011 to take a job with Milwaukee County.

First aldermanic district residents also will determine which two of three candidates will advance to the April 3 election. The contenders all are new to city politics: Jeffrey Kroll, Jim Moldenhauer and Robert Smith.

To learn more about the mayoral candidates, voters can visit their respective web sites, which are available by clicking their names above. Candidate views also are available from Patch coverage of the mayoral race, including an article on a Feb. 13 candidate forum and a candidate recap featured Monday.

Information for two of the three candidates for the open 1st District seat are available through their web sites, available by clicking on their names above. An overview of the major issues and goals cited by the 1st District candidates are available here.

Voter Information

The polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

The city has 15 polling places serving voters in the eight aldermanic districts. To determine your polling place, go to the Voter Public Access web site and enter your name or address. Voters also may call the city clerk’s office at (414) 479-8917 for polling location information.

New Polling Location for District 7, Ward 20

There is one change in polling place for the primary election, and that is for voters in District 7, Ward 20. Voters from this area of the city now must cast ballots at the city’s Public Works Yard building, at 11100 Walnut Rd., which is just east on Walnut from North 116th Street. These residents formerly voted at the Wauwatosa School District’s Fisher Building, 12121 W. North Ave.

Milwaukee County Primary Races

In addition to the citywide mayoral and 1st aldermanic district primary races, city voters also will narrow the field for two Milwaukee County races.

The February primary includes candidates vying for a post as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge. Nelson Wesley Phillips III, Christopher Lipscomb and Carolina Maria Stark are running for the position, and their web sites are available by clicking on their names.

The primary ballot also includes the race for the vacant Milwaukee County Supervisor District 15 seat. The candidates for this race include Jerry Broitzman, whose information can be found at www.friends4jerry.org using your Facebook log-in; Dan Cody; Jill Wesolowski and state Rep. David Cullen.

The top two vote-getters in the city and county primary races will advance to the April 3 general election.

Election Law Changes

Under recent election law changes, new this year is a requirement that voters show identification. Residents must present a current photo ID showing proof of residence and complete name.

Complete information on the election law changes, including the types of photo ID accepted and how to get a photo ID, is available from links found on the city‘s elections page of its web site.

The city's election page link includes voting information and requirements for Tuesday's primary, the upcoming April 3 and November 6 general elections, and the Aug. 14 partisan primary.