SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI (WHBL) - The Sheboygan County Clerk’s office says 17-percent of county voters turned out Tuesday to take part in the first of four scheduled elections for 2016.
For many, there was only one statewide race to vote on - the primary to narrow the field of candidates for a seat on the State Supreme Court from three to two. Around 60-percent of voters selected Justice Rebecca Bradley, while 30-percent selected Appeals Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg. The two move on to April’s general election. Just under 10-percent selected Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Joe Donald.
There were several local races on area ballots.
The biggest was an over nine-million dollar referendum in the Oostburg School District to pay for a new wing and remodeling of parts of their elementary school. Around 53-percent of over 16-hundred votes cast approved the referendum, meaning that the district’s mill rate will go up 25-cents per thousand as work on the project will take place through the fall of 2017.
In a statement provided to WHBL News, Superintendent Kevin Bruggink said, “We are pleased with the very high turnout and certainly appreciate the hard work put in by our Community Long Range Planning Committee over the last several years and the support of our community in this referendum.”
The only other race in Sheboygan County was a primary to narrow the field of candidates from five to four for two supervisor positions for the Town of Holland board. Challenger Dick Gust got the least amount of votes, meaning he will not be on the ballot this April. Moving on, in the order of votes received, are incumbent Stanley Lammers, challenger Douglas Hamilton, challenger Nathan Voskuil, and challenger Reid Rathjen.
These races, plus all other county, city, village, town and school board seats, will be held on April 5.
OOSTBURG REFERENDUM:
Yes – 885
No – 778
TOWN OF HOLLAND SUPERVISORS:
Stanley Lammers (I) – 307
Douglas Hamilton – 179
Nathan Voskuil – 175
Reid Rathjen – 157
Dick Gust – 56
STATE SUPREME COURT PRIMARY IN SHEBOYGAN COUNTY:
Rebecca Bradley (I) – 7,021
JoAnne Kloppenburg – 3,488
Joe Donald - 994