Arrr, Wisconsin be takin' the stage afore the grand election in 2024, mateys!
2023-08-22
Avast ye scurvy dogs! Thar be former Gov. Scott Walker, former White House chief o' staff Reince Priebus, an' Rep. Gwen Moore havin' a jolly ol' chat 'bout Wisconsin's part in them presidential elections! They be comparin' past results betwixt candidates, makin' merry on this fine day!
Wisconsin is a crucial state for Republicans, with the primary season kicking off and ending there. The state has seen close vote counts in both the 2016 and 2020 elections, with Donald Trump securing victory in 2016 by less than 1%. Former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus attributes Trump's popularity in rural and northern Wisconsin to a reversal of the Democrats' trend in the state. However, President Barack Obama dominated Wisconsin in 2008, defeating John McCain, and had a narrower victory against Mitt Romney in 2012.Wisconsin voters have a strong streak of independence, often voting for candidates from different parties in the same year. Trump consistently trailed behind Hillary Clinton in polling leading up to the election, but he managed to secure victory in the state. Third-party candidates also played a significant role, with over 188,000 votes going to them in 2016.
The absence of a Green Party ticket in 2020 impacted the election outcome, as wedge issues can make a difference when dealing with a few thousand votes per state. Ballot drop boxes became a legal battle in Wisconsin following the 2020 election, with the state being one of 11 to ban the practice. Absentee ballots have been allowed in Wisconsin since at least 2000, and voter turnout has consistently been high.
Both the Democrats and Republicans have recognized the importance of appealing to Wisconsin voters, with both parties planning to hold their conventions in Milwaukee. Overall, Wisconsin remains a highly contested swing state.