Last updated 11:20 am April 1, 2025
As Wisconsin voters head to the polls for the spring election, lingering power outages from weekend storms are sparking worries about access and turnout, particularly in northern and northeastern parts of the state. Residents and local officials are grappling with the fallout from an ice storm that struck March 29-30, leaving thousands without electricity on Election Day.
The outages, affecting Langlade, Forest, Oneida, Marinette, and Oconto counties, have raised practical concerns about voting. In Green Bay, a morning power disruption hit several polling sites, prompting quick action from local election officials. Meanwhile, social media posts reflect growing public unease about the timing and impact of the disruptions.
As of yesterday, Wisconsin Public Service reported 13,300 customers without power in Langlade County, 8,400 in Forest County, and 11,700 in Oneida County, with a statewide total of 27,293 still in the dark as of 11:12 a.m. ET Tuesday, according to poweroutage.us. The weekend storm, which brought freezing rain and sleet across the Great Lakes region, snapped trees and power lines, complicating recovery efforts as polls opened at 7 a.m.
In Green Bay, part of Brown County, a power outage early Tuesday affected polling stations such as Perkins Park shelter, St. Jude’s Catholic Church, and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, along with nearby traffic lights. Local election officials urged voters to stay in line, and power was restored by 9:45 a.m. The swift resolution allowed voting to proceed, but the incident underscored broader concerns.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) has not released specific statements addressing the outages as of Tuesday morning. However, Commissioner Ann Jacobs did post list list of relocated polling sites on her personal X account.
Local responses appear to be the primary effort so far. In Green Bay, officials’ encouragement to voters during the outage ensured turnout wasn’t halted, but the situation in rural northern counties remains less clear. With polls closing at 8 p.m., the ongoing lack of power could hinder access, especially for voters relying on electronic resources or facing travel disruptions.
Congressman Tony Weid, the Republican who represents the Green Bay area, posted the following on the X feed of the Republican Party of Wisconsin.
The storm’s timing adds pressure to an already significant election, which includes a high-stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court race. While Green Bay’s polling sites are back online, the broader impact on turnout in harder-hit areas is uncertain, leaving residents and officials to navigate the day’s challenges as they unfold.
We will update this story as it develops throughout the day.
