WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/02/08) - Official results of the November 4th General Election in Wisconsin were certified yesterday (12-1-08) by Government Accountability Board member Judge William Eich. 2,983,417 Wisconsinites voted in the latest presidential election, which is 69 percent of the estimated voting age population in the state. By comparison, 73 percent of the state’s voting age population participated in the 2004 General Election. The presidential electors for the political party which won the presidential contest – must now convene and formally cast their votes December 15th based on the November 4th results.

“Most voters likely believe the election is finished on Election Day, but some of the most important work takes place afterward,” said Kevin Kennedy, Wisconsin’s Chief Election Official. “Double-checking initial tallies, performing any recounts, and certifying the final results are very important steps.”

Two days after the election, on November 6, county boards of canvassers met to review the results submitted by all municipalities. The 72 counties had until November 18 to approve or correct those results and send them to the State Elections Division for certification.

The official results include the tallies for the race for President, eight Congressional races, and state races for Senate, Assembly and District Attorney. They also include the results of two recounts for State Assembly District 47 and Senate District 18.

“This has been a relatively smooth process,” said Nat Robinson, Elections Division Administrator. “Wisconsin voters can be proud of the dedication and efficiency of local election officials all across the state.”

Official results of the November 4 General Election are now posted to the Elections Division website at http://gab.wi.gov under “Elections & Results.” There are results reported by county, by ward, and in summary format with percentages for each candidate.

After the official results are certified, results from the presidential election are used to validate Wisconsin’s official vote in the U.S. Electoral College.

On Monday, December 15, the presidential electors for the political party which won the presidential contest – in this case, the Democratic Party – must convene and formally cast their votes. Wisconsin has 10 Electoral College votes, one for each of its eight Congressional districts and two statewide votes.

The electors will meet at noon in the Governor’s Conference Room at the Capitol to complete the process.

Once the electoral votes have been cast, a Certificate of Votes, signed by each elector, and a Certificate of Ascertainment, signed by the Governor and Secretary of State, will be sent to the Vice President of the United States in his capacity as president of the Senate.

Official electoral results are also sent to federal archivists in Washington, DC, the Wisconsin Secretary of State and the Chief Judge of the Federal Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.

The 10 names of the 2008 Presidential Electors for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin also are listed on the G.A.B. website under “Elections & Results.”

The Government Accountability Board (G.A.B.) is responsible for administration and enforcement of campaign finance, elections, ethics and lobbying laws in Wisconsin. The G.A.B. is made up of six non-partisan, former judges and is supported by an agency of non-partisan staff members.