Updated: Greendale Voters Flock to the Polls in Historic Recall Election

UPDATED AT 10:49 p.m. TUESDAY

Greendale had a 71% voter turnout during this election with 61% (4,858 voters) voting for Walker and 38% (3,056 voters) voting for Tom Barrett.

UPDATED AT 6:45 p.m. TUESDAY

Jean Anczak, chief poll inspector, believes they have had about a 75% voter turnout at  so far.

The whole day was a steady stream of lines with no confusion or issues, she said.

Anczak has been working at the polls for many years. She compared this election to the 2008 presidential election.

"I found this to be almost like the presidential election," Anczak said. "People were excited about getting their voice heard in this election. They seem to be more interested in having their voice recorded." 

Greendale voter Mary Olson said she voted for Scott Walker because she agreed with his collective bargaining bill.

UPDATED AT 5:44 p.m. TUESDAY

Greendale Clerk-Treasurer Kathy Kasza said in an email that voter turnout this year "is a higher turnout than previous elections this year, but on the same pace as the 2010 Governor’s election where we had a 64% turn out.  In 2010 we had about the same number of Absentee and averaged 1,400 per polling place."

Kasza was only able to get numbers from three polling location who say they each have had over 1,000 voters.

UPDATED AT 2:10 p.m. TUESDAY

Poll workers at said the lines of voters have calmed down this afternoon. 

"We’ve had lines all the way through almost noon," said the chief inspector. "It’s been steady since then. No problems at all. All the people have been very quiet and respectful."

The inspector said he predicts a 70-75% turnout, higher than what the state is saying based on what he has seen throughout the day.

Workers said the turnout has been similar or higher to a presidential election. 

Haven't voted yet? before you cast your ballot

Greendale resident David Schnack said he always votes at 2 p.m. in every election. 

"Last time I was like 200 something," Schnack said. "In the presidential I was 300 some. Now I’m like over 700."

Schnack would not share who he voted for but did say he doesn't agree with the recall.

"This is the first recall in the state and third recall in the United States," Schnack said. "To me if you vote for somebody no matter what party…this recall thing gets out of hand and costs you money."

First time voter Joe Vinci, 18, voted for Barrett even though he does believe Walker is an upgrade from former Gov. Jim Doyle. 

"I voted for Tom Barrett because personally I feel that of all the promises Walker made going into office he has either broken or not kept," Vinci said. "While there has been a sufficient upgrade from Doyle to Walker I do feel that we can do better and I’d like to give Barrett a try."

Vinci stressed the importance of voting.

"It affects my whole family and it does affect my future as a resident of Wisconsin," Vinci said. "It’s very important that young people do get out to vote for what they do believe in. For me this is the step in the right direction."

UPDATED AT 10:15 a.m. TUESDAY

Just a few hours into Wisconsin’s first gubernatorial election, voters in Greendale are coming out in droves to let their voices be heard. 

A line of eager voters circled the lobby of the Greendale Safety Center. 

"Line has been all the way as far as you can see all morning," said poll worker Jerry Lebodda.

Lebodda said that usually in other elections there have been about 300 voters by 4 p.m., however, in today's historical election there has already been over 300 voters by 9:30 a.m. in wards 9 and 10. 

"The long wait has been hard," Lebodda said. "We can’t figure out a different way to do it. I think voter ID would help if you just show your license. It’s going kind of slow but we're trying to make it as fast as possible."

Haven't voted yet? before you cast your ballot

Voters of all ages were waiting in line. There were senior citizens, parents with their children and even young first time voters.

Emily Sparks, 18, is an aspiring art teacher. She will be graduating high school this month and pursing education in college this coming fall. This was Sparks' first time voting and she voted for Walker.

"I want to see what he is trying to do with his plan on making it better and with me going into it (teaching) I want a fair opportunity to rise in my position," Sparks said. "The way he’s doing is that he’s going about it fairly quickly and I’m kind of nervous about it, but I still trust him and I think he’s doing some of the right things."

Another Greendale resident agreed with Sparks.

"I'm interested in the growth of our state economy and a better business climate," said Judy Foster who voted last week as an absentee voter. "I think what he’s doing is a great job and he needs to continue."

Check in for updates throughout the day as Patch visits the polls in Greendale.