A Closer Look at the February 18, 2025 Primary Ballot

Mark your calendars for two upcoming voting events – a Primary Ballot on Tuesday, February 18, followed by the Spring General Election on Tuesday, April 1. This article focuses on the Primary election and ballot.

Tuesday, February 18th Primary Election

We earlier reported on the voting schedule for the primary election on Tuesday, February 18 (Fort

Atkinson 2025 Spring Primary Election February 18 - What Voters can Expect), as well as general voting

eligibility rules. As promised, we now provide additional information regarding the ballot itself.

The Primary Ballot is Straightforward

There is only one office to consider, that being State Superintendent of Public Instruction - Wisconsin’s top education official. Three people have launched campaigns for that office. Voters will be asked to choose one among the three. The candidates are Jeff Wright, Brittany Kinser, and Jill Underly, with provision for write-in candidates.

Why all the fuss – and expense – to have a primary ballot for only one office? According to Wisconsin law, “A primary shall be held if more than 2 candidates file nomination papers for the office of state superintendent [of public instruction] ...” (Wis. Stat. Chap. 8, section 8.11 – Nominations, Primaries, Elections - Spring primary).

There you have it - Inasmuch as more than two candidates will appear on the primary ballot, the

February 18 primary will apply to all of Wisconsin. The top two vote-getters will face off in the

Spring General Election on April 1.

Background on the Three Candidates

The following background on the three primary candidates is from Associated Press (Bauer, S. 2025,

February 11. Wisconsin’s top education official facing challengers on both flanks. Retrieved from apnews.com).

Jill Underly. Democratic-backed incumbent, in office since 2021, running for a second term. As reported by Associated Press, Underly “was previously the superintendent of the Pecatonica School District and held roles as a principal, teacher and academic adviser at the University of Wisconsin-

Madison.”

Jeff Wright. Sauk Prairie School District superintendent. As reported by Associated Press, Wright was “named the 2024 Administrator of the Year by the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance and was previously a principal on the south side of Chicago.”

Brittany Kinser. Education consultant from Wauwatosa. Associated Press reports that Kinser “previously led Wisconsin's Rocketship schools, which are part of a national network of public charter schools.”

Voting Guidance from the Clerk/Treasurer’s Office

Registered voters in all 13 Fort Atkinson city voting wards are eligible to vote.

Absentee voting may be done in person at the Fort Atkinson Municipal Building during regular office hours. According to the Clerk/Treasurer's Office, “No in-person absentee voting may occur on the day before the election. The municipal clerk will deliver voted ballots returned on or before Election Day to the proper polling place or counting location before the polls close. Any ballots received after the polls close will not be counted. Refer to www.myvote.wi.gov for more information.

If you vote in person, go to the Municipal Building, 101 North Main Street, Fort Atkinson. You

may contact the City Clerk at 920-397-9901 for additional information.

A sample ballot and other useful information and voter tools can be found at www.MyVote.wi.gov. Voters can view “My Voter Info,” “Find My Polling Place,” “What's On My Ballot,” “Update My Name or Address,” “Register To Vote,” Vote Absentee By Mail,” “Track My Ballot,” and “Vote Absentee In Person.”

Voting on Election Day

According to the Clerk/Treasurer’s office, polls are open 7:00am to 8:00pm. Residents in the City of Fort Atkinson will vote in the Municipal Gymnasium, 101 N. Main Street. Voters are asked to use the Water Street entrance. Parking is available on Main Street, Water Street, and the public lots to the west of the building. Photo ID is required for in-person absentee voting. Handicap parking is available in front of the overhead doors near the Parks and Recreation entrance or on the side of the Municipal Building.

Photo Identification

Voters are required to display a valid photo ID in order to vote.

Badger Books

Fort Atkinson began using Badger Books in 2019. These are electronic poll books that include registered voters. Voters are still required to sign the screen to obtain a ballot. Signatures have been required since 2012. Voters unable to sign because of a physical disability are exempt from this requirement. If this applies to you, inform the Election Inspector and they will write 'Exempt' in your signature block in the Badger Book.

Using the Voting Machines

The City of Fort Atkinson uses optical scanning voting machines, called the DS200. To vote for the candidate(s) of your choice, complete the oval next to the candidate's name on the paper ballot. Likewise, to vote for or against a referendum question, complete the oval to the right of "Yes" or "No." To vote for a write-in candidate, write the person's name on the line provided and complete the oval next to the name you have written in. Once you have completed your ballot, insert it into the appropriate ballot machine. Wait for the machine screen to read 'Thank you for voting' before walking away.

Correcting Your Ballot

If you make a mistake on your ballot, you may ask for a new ballot. You are allowed up to three ballots due to errors you made in marking the ballot. If you need assistance, please see a Chief Election Inspector at the polling place on the day of election.