Early voting commences for primary election

Early voting has commenced in the Bay Area and across Wisconsin, with local, state and federal issues on the August primary election ballot.

Registered voters can cast their vote in person on Aug. 13 or at their precinct on election day. Voters can also vote early either in person or via an absentee ballot.

There won’t be an official drop box available in Ashland for the August election. City election specialist Kevin Haas said the city is considering getting one for the November election.

There are a couple contested races on the ballot. On the Democratic side, candidates Angela Stroud and John Adams are squaring off in the newly formed district assembly 73. Also, candidates Kyle Kilbourn and Elsa Rae Duranceau are vying to become the representative in the seventh congressional district.

On the Republican side, candidates Eric Hovde, Charles Barman and Rejani Raveendran are running for U.S. senator.

There are also a issues on the ballot. A pair of questions on Wisconsin’s Aug. 13 ballot would give state legislators more control over how federal money is spent in the state.

If approved by voters, the proposals would amend the Wisconsin Constitution to limit the governor’s power to spend federal funds unilaterally in specific instances.

The proposals work in tandem. One would require legislative approval before Wisconsin’s governor could expend federal money earmarked for the state. The other would bar future Legislatures from giving that power away.

Wisconsin Public radio contributed to this story.