A DEEPER LOOK. The results of April 1's election  have been announced, but how did Chippewa Vallians vote compared to the rest of the state? For starters, E.C. City Council newcomers Nate Otto and Ethan Reed came out on top alongside three incumbents.

Over two million Wisconsinites showed up to the polls for Election Day on April 1. While all eyes were on the Badger State’s Supreme Court results – the most expensive Wisconsin Supreme Court election ever, with roughly $90 million poured into it – a number of other races drew attention as well. Here in Eau Claire, that includes the City Council election.

Nearly 50% of all eligible, registered voters in Eau Claire County cast their votes in the spring election (just over 44,100 individuals, according to the City of Eau Claire's unofficial summary). In the City Council election, seven candidates were on the ballot for At-Large seats: incumbents Larry Mboga, Joshua Miller, and Charlie Johnson, as well as Ethan Reed, Nate Otto, Mary Catherine Partlow, and Philip Swanhorst. Current council members Roderick Jones and Kate Felton did not seek re-election.

All incumbents on the ballot secured their seats once again, with newcomers Nate Otto and Ethan Reed also walking away with enough votes to secure their seats on the council dais (Otto and Reed will make their official council dais debut on April 15).

Mboga received the highest number of votes (12,939) followed by newcomer Nate Otto (11,862) and incumbents Miller and Johnson. Reed received 9,851 votes, beating out Partlow and Swanhorst for the final seat.

State Supreme Court 

Democratic-backed candidate and Chippewa Falls native Susan Crawford won the State Supreme Court race against Brad Schimel, earning about 55% of Wisconsinites’ votes. With Crawford's win, the court's liberal majority was maintained. While Eau Claire County voters ultimately supported Crawford, Chippewa County voters favored conservative candidate Schimel. Dunn County saw an incredibly slim tip toward Schimel, who earned just 14 votes more than Crawford.

Blue indicates support for Crawford; Red indicates support for Schimel. (Graphic via Decision Desk HQ)

Voter ID Amendment

A statewide voter ID amendment on the ballot was another point to watch in the spring election. Every county except two – Dane County and Milwaukee County – saw a majority of voters in favor of amending the state constitution. The amendment cements voter ID rules already part of state law. As explained by University of Wisconsin law scholars, "The proposed amendment would not change the current voter ID requirements that are outlined in state law. Instead, if approved by voters, the amendment would make it more difficult for a court or future legislature to walk back the existing requirements."

State Superintendent

State Superintendent Jill Underly was re-elected – earning about 53% of Wisconsinites' votes – against challenger Brittany Kinser. In Eau Claire County, Underly won; in Chippewa County, Kinser won; and in Dunn County, Kinser won by less than 1%. 

Nearly 50% of all eligible voters in Eau Claire County – about 44,100 people – cast their votes. Chippewa County saw roughly 10,000 voters, and another 29,000-plus voters showed up to the polls in Dunn County.

Blue indicates support for Jill Underly; Red indicates support for Brittany Kinser. (Graphic via Decision Desk HQ)

Learn more about the spring election results from Eau Claire County, Chippewa County, and Dunn County online.