November 5 is Election Day in Wisconsin, and across the country. Voters will decide on dozens of races - everything from the next President of the United States, down to the smallest Assembly districts.
Throughout the day, TMJ4 News will be updating this live blog with the latest information on elections throughout southeast Wisconsin. Check back often for the latest headlines and developments.
Latest updates:
2:31 p.m. — New maps help Wisconsin Democrats make legislative gains and set up a push for majorities in 2026
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democrats came out of Tuesday's elections with substantial gains in the Wisconsin Legislature under new district boundaries, setting them up for a run for a majority in two years.
Democrats had high hopes that the maps would enable them to seize control of the state Assembly for the first time in 13 years. That didn't happen, but their wins still stood out given that Republican President-elect Donald Trump carried Wisconsin.
“Thanks to fair maps and a smart strategy, the GOP's stranglehold on Wisconsin's legislature is coming to an end,” Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, said in a statement. The DLCC is the arm of the Democratic Party tasked with building majorities in state legislatures.
Republicans took control of the Senate and Assembly in 2011. Democrats used recall elections to win a Senate majority for six months in 2021, but otherwise the GOP has controlled both houses since then thanks largely to gerrymandered district maps that spread out Democratic voters.
1:48 p.m. — Trump campaign releases statement on Harris concession call
Shortly after reports surfaced Wednesday that VP Kamala Harris had called Donald Trump to concede the presidential election, the Trump campaign released a statement confirming the news.
“President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke by phone earlier today where she congratulated him on his historic victory," the statement says. "President Trump acknowledged Vice President Harris on her strength, professionalism, and tenacity throughout the campaign, and both leaders agreed on the importance of unifying the country.”
Harris is expected to address the nation at 3 p.m. CT Wednesday. We'll carry her remarks wherever you stream TMJ4.
1:12 p.m. — Harris calls Trump to concede 2024 election, senior aide says
Vice President Kamala Harris has called President-elect Donald Trump to concede the 2024 election, a senior Harris aide tells Scripps News.
The aide said that Harris called Trump to congratulate him on winning the 2024 presidential election and discussed the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a president for all Americans.
Watch: Kamala Harris concedes race to Donald Trump: Report:
She is expected to deliver remarks at 3 p.m. CT.
Out of seven states the two campaigns fought over, Trump is projected to win at least six and could potentially win all seven if he picks up Arizona.
Read more from Scripps News here.
1:01 p.m. — Tammy Baldwin re-elected to Senate
Incumbent Tammy Baldwin has declared victory over Republican Eric Hovde in Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate race and NBC News has projected she will hold on to her seat.
Baldwin currently holds 49.3 percent of the vote, compared to Hovde who has 48.6 percent, according to preliminary voting data.
Baldwin's victory comes despite Donald Trump winning the presidential race in Wisconsin.
Read more about Baldwin's victory here.
12:19 p.m. — Jessie Rodriguez defeats David Marstellar Jr. to win Wisconsin's 21st Assembly district
Jessie Rodriguez has defeated David Marstellar Jr. to win Wisconsin's 21st Assembly district.
At the time the race was called, Rodriguez had 51 percent of the votes, while Marstellar had 49%.
Marstellar conceded Wednesday morning.
"Although we came up short, I am honored to have earned the trust of so many community leaders, neighbors, and new friends," he said in a statement. "I want to congratulate Jessie Rodriguez and wish her the best of luck representing us in the Assembly."
10:50 a.m. — Vote totals from Oak Creek in.
Central count results from Oak Creek have arrived the Milwaukee County Courthouse. The results are being verified between the Oak Creek elections clerk and Milwaukee County elections director.
TMJ4's Sydni Eure is being told the results will be posted online.
9:40 a.m. — Eric Hovde releases statement in response to election results so far.
Eric Hovde, running for a Wisconsin Senate seat against Tammy Baldwin, had released a statement in response to the election results so far.
"We’re watching the final precinct results come in," Hovde says. "We’re certainly disappointed that the Democrats’ effort to siphon votes with a fraudulent candidate had a significant impact on the race, with those votes making up more than the entire margin of the race right now. We will continue to monitor returns and make sure that every vote is counted."
Tammy Baldwin declared victory in the race just before 5:00 Wednesday morning. She currently has 49.4% of the vote.
6:24 a.m. – Joe St. George breaks down how Donald Trump won the election.
Former President Donald Trump is on his way to making history, becoming just the second person in US History to win two non-consecutive terms as Commander in Chief.
Scripps Deputy Political Director Joe St. George joined TMJ4 News Today on Wednesday morning to talk about Trump’s path to that victory.
Watch the full report below:
4:43 a.m. — Tammy Baldwin declares victory in US Senate Race.
While the race has not been officially called, incumbent Senator Tammy Baldwin has declared victory in the US Senate Race against Eric Hovde. She currently has 49.2% of the vote.
In a statement, Baldwin said, “The people of Wisconsin have chosen someone who always puts Wisconsin first, someone who shows up, listens, and works with everyone to get the job done. And they rejected the billionaires and the special interests who want to come to our state, spread hate and division, and buy their way into power."
Breaking News: Wisconsin US Senate race.
— Charles Benson (@CharlesBenson4) November 6, 2024
Here’s the before and after - when city of Milwaukee numbers were added to Milwaukee County vote totals.
Still about 12k votes to be counted in Oak Creek.
Tammy Baldwin now leads Eric Hovde. pic.twitter.com/D5vvgO8S6R
NBC News is currently projecting that the race is "too close to call."
4:32 a.m. — NBC News calls race for former President Donald Trump.
NBC News is projecting that former President Donald Trump has won in the state of Wisconsin with 49.7% of the vote. Kamala Harris took 48.7% of the vote.
This puts Trump at 276 Electoral College votes, which is enough for him to win the national election.
3:21 a.m. — Vote totals from City of Milwaukee delivered to Milwaukee County Courthouse.
TMJ4's Megan Lee is at the Milwaukee County courthouse where the vote totals from the City of Milwaukee have just been delivered.
This is one of the last and largest municipalities from which we're waiting on results. Oak Creek is the only remaining municipality.
2:19 a.m. — Assembly Speaker Robin Vos reelected in 33rd Assembly district
Robin Vos has defeated Alan Kupsik in the race for Wisconsin's 33rd Assembly district.
At the time the race was called, Vos had 57 percent of the votes, while Kupsik had 30 percent.
Republican Robin Vos had initially served in Wisconsin's 63rd district but was drawn into the new map for District 33. He has been the speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly since 2013. Vos was born in Burlington.
1:38 a.m. — Trump addresses supporters at Mar-a-Lago
At about 1:30 a.m., President Trump spoke to his supporters at Mar-a-Lago in Florida as he held a commanding lead on the Electoral College map.
You can watch Trump's full remarks here:
1:06 a.m. — NBC News projects Trump wins Pennsylvania
Another crucial swing state has gone to Donald Trump.
NBC News called Pennsylvania for Trump shortly after 1 a.m. CT. Trump has now won the crucial swing states of Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
12:44 a.m. — Trump builds lead in Wisconsin with 91% counted
With more than 90 percent of the vote counted in Wisconsin, Trump has a more than 100,000-vote lead over Kamala Harris.
Trump currently has 51.2% of the vote, and Harris has 47.4%.
We're still waiting for Milwaukee's absentee ballots to come in - that should happen in the next hour or two.
11:25 p.m. — Bryan Steil re-elected to Congress
At the time the race was called, Steil had 56 percent of the vote, compared to Barca's 42.
Republican Bryan Steil has represented the 1st Congressional District since 2019. Steil currently serves as a Chairman of the Committee on House Administrations, Chair of the Joint Committee on Printing, and a member of the Committee on Financial Services.
11:11 p.m. — GOP flips at least 2 seats held by Democrats, will hold Senate majority in 2025
For the first time in six years, Republicans will be in control of the Senate, wrestling the chamber away from Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer's caucus.
Republicans won Senate seats in West Virginia and Ohio on Tuesday, Scripps News and Decision Desk HQ project. Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown previously held the seat in Ohio, while independent Sen. Joe Manchin, who left the Democratic Party earlier this year, has continued to caucus with his former party.
The fact that Republicans were able to reclaim the Senate came hardly as a surprise. A slew of Democrats won in 2018 amid an upswing for the party, with Democrats such as Manchin, Brown, and Montana's Jon Tester winning seats in traditionally conservative states. Plus, Democrats that year won in so-called purple states, such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Nevada.
Read more on control of the Senate from Scripps News here.
10:58 p.m. — Glenn Grothman retains seat in Congress
Glenn Grothman has won the race for Wisconsin's 6th congressional district, DDHQ projects. He beat opponent John Zarbano.
At the time the race was called, Grothman had 65 percent of the votes, while Zarbano had 35 percent.
Glenn Grothman, a Republican, has served in U.S. Congress for five terms since being elected in 2014.
Grothman serves on three committees in the House of Representatives: The House Committee on Education and the Workforce, the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and the House Committee on the Budget.
10:47 p.m. — Statewide citizenship eligibility referendum overwhelmingly passes
The statewide referendum to bar noncitizens from voting in Wisconsin's elections passed in a landslide Tuesday.
71% voted YES for the referendum, while 29% voted NO in opposition.
10:08 p.m. — Voting extended in Whitewater
Voting in the City of Whitewater has been extended until 10:30 p.m., according to a post on the City's Facebook page.
The extension was granted by Circuit Court Judge David M. Reddy and came at the request of the Democratic National Committee.
All polling places in the City of Whitewater will remain open until 10:30 p.m., the post says.
9:29 p.m. — Georgia called for Trump
Another swing state has been called for Donald Trump.
TMJ4's data partner, Decision Desk HQ, called Georgia for Trump at 9:26 p.m.
North Carolina was previously called for Trump by DDHQ at 8:22 p.m.
Georgia and North Carolina are two of seven swing states in the election. The remaining five swing states are Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Nevada.
9:06 p.m. — Hovde holds early lead over Baldwin in U.S. Senate race
With 27 percent of the vote in Wisconsin reported, challenger Eric Hovde holds a slim lead over incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin.
Hovde currently has 49.8% of the vote, while Baldwin is just under 16,000 votes behind, with 48.1%.
8:39 p.m. — Harris holds slim lead over Trump in early Wisconsin numbers
With 16 percent of the vote reported in Wisconsin, Kamala Harris holds a slim lead over Donald Trump in the state of Wisconsin.
As of 8:39 p.m., Harris had 51.2% of the vote, compared to Trump's 47.4%.
Wisconsin's final vote tally will likely not be known until sometime on Wednesday.
8:28 p.m. — North Carolina called for Trump
The first of seven swing states has been called for Donald Trump.
TMJ4's data partner, Decision Desk HQ, made the call at 8:22 p.m.
8:19 p.m. — Two Congressional incumbents projected to win
Shortly after polls closed in Wisconsin, Decision Desk HQ projected that both Rep. Gwen Moore (D-4th District) and Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-5th District), would maintain their seats in Congress.
The first numbers available showed Fitzgerald winning 75% of the vote, compared to 25% for Democratic opponent Ben Steinhoff.
No numbers were immediately available for Gwen Moore's race.
7:51 p.m. — Trump takes early lead on Electoral College map
As we approach 8 p.m. in Wisconsin, Former President Donald Trump has taken an early lead on the Electoral College map, according to NBC News.
Trump has secured a projected 105 electoral votes, while Harris has carried a projected 30 electoral votes.
None of the states that have been called so far have been a surprise, and none of the seven battleground states (Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada) have been called.
7:24 p.m. — 'No factual basis' for cheating allegations in Philadelphia vote count
Authorities in both Pennsylvania and Michigan are working to combat what they call misinformation after social media claims — prominently elevated by Republican nominee Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform.
Watch: Pennsylvania Secretary of State tells Scripps News election there has been safe and secure:
Trump said in a post to his social platform, "A lot of talk about massive cheating in Philadelphia. Law enforcement coming!!!"
In response, Pennsylvania's secretary of state told Scripps News the election process there has been safe and secure.
Read more about this story in Scripps News' story here.
6:26 p.m. — Milwaukee puts out call to city workers to help with election effort
An election official tells TMJ4 News that the City of Milwaukee has put out a call to city employees to assist at the city's central count location.
The call to city employees went out at about 5 p.m. Tuesday, the election official said.
The city now has an "influx" of helpers from different departments. Many new workers, including firefighters, based on what they were wearing, were put to work immediately.
30-40 city workers came in to assist, TMJ4 News is told.
6:11 p.m. — College students make their voices heard in Milwaukee
Milwaukee's two biggest universities, Marquette and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, served as polling places for students and others living in the area.
TMJ4 reporter Brendyn Jones spent time at both schools, speaking to students about why they decided to engage in the civic process.
Watch: Local college students cast their ballots:
On the East Side of Milwaukee, UWM's Lubar Center served as a polling place for students, many of those students felt excited to vote.
"We all need to choose our leaders and we all need to choose policies that work in our interests," said Chuks Iregbu, a UWM student.
Hear from more college students in Brendyn Jones' story here.
5:32 p.m. — Tabulator problem had Waukesha voters choosing either to wait or leave ballots in a lockbox
A problem with the voting tabulator at a Waukesha poll location had backed up lines and election workers running ballots. TMJ4 News heard about the issue when Jolie messaged us on Facebook to say, "The machine broke down and ballots are being put in lock boxes."
“How long did it take you to vote today?” asked reporter Rebecca Klopf.
Watch: Tabulator problems strike in Waukesha:
"Eight minutes,” answered Sharon Budiac, a voter from Brookfield.
"Probably five to ten minutes,” said Vera Dewolfe, also a Brookfield voter.
Read more from Rebecca Klopf here.
4:56 p.m. — It could take 2 weeks for final election results in Arizona, officials warn
Election Day turnout appeared heavy in Arizona on Tuesday as voters are casting ballots in a competitive Senate race. The state is also considered one of the most competitive battleground states in this year's presidential election.
Election officials say it could take up to 13 days for the results to be tabulated in the state. In addition to a hefty turnout, voters must decide on numerous races. The ballot is two pages long in Maricopa, the state's most populous county.
Watch: Arizona's final vote tally may take up to two weeks:
Election officials expect about an hour after polls close, they'll have about 70% of the results of more than a million people who voted early in this election.
Officials are also expecting a record turnout in Maricopa County. It is one of the largest voting jurisdictions in the U.S. with over 2.6 million registered voters. The county has opened a record 246 election sites on Tuesday.
Scripps News has more on this story here.
4:34 p.m. — Milwaukee to recount 30,000 ballots due to tabulation issue
Milwaukee elections officials are recounting approximately 31,000 ballots due to a tabulation issue.
Several hours after starting to count absentee ballots at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday morning, officials at Milwaukee's Central Count discovered there was an issue with the sealing of the tabulation machines.
Watch: Jenna Rae explains Milwaukee tabulation error:
All 13 of the machines involved are currently being reset out of an overabundance of caution.
When the machines are reset, all 31,000 ballots will be re-run through the machines.
Read more in this story from Jenna Rae.
3:44 p.m. — Beware of early claims of victory in presidential election
This Election Day, Americans are flocking to the polls to vote for president.
That’s in addition to the 82 million voters who already cast their ballots early this year.
Watch: Don't trust early claims of victory in presidential election:
And while polls officially close across the country Tuesday night, that doesn’t mean a winner will be named.
Election experts are warning Americans to beware of any candidate who quickly declares victory. In the historically tight race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, experts say it could take days for a winner to be declared.
Despite this being the case, Trump is repeatedly demanding that the race be called on election night.
Read more in this story from Scripps News.
3:13 p.m. — Long lines for voting in Oak Creek
TMJ4 Sports Reporter Ashley Washburn shared this photo of the line to vote at District 2 in Oak Creek.
Washburn said the wait to vote is at least 40 minutes right now.
2:39 p.m. — Wisconsin voters to decide legislative control and noncitizen voting question
Wisconsin voters will get a chance in Tuesday's elections to shift the balance of power in the Legislature and decide whether to explicitly forbid foreign nationals from ever voting in the state.
Here's a look at what's at stake for the Legislature and the Republican-authored constitutional amendment designed to ensure only U.S. citizens can vote in Wisconsin:
Republicans seized control of both the Assembly and the Senate in 2010. The next year they redrew district boundaries to consolidate their power and have held the majority in both houses for the last 13 years.
The political landscape shifted dramatically last year, though, after liberal justices won control of the state Supreme Court and invalidated the Republican district maps. That move opened the door for Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to redraw the lines, giving his party hope of making substantial gains in both chambers.
Read more about the state legislature and the noncitizen voting question here.
11:45 a.m. — Voters cast ballots at Thoreau Elementary School in Milwaukee County.
Voters are lining up in Brown Deer and enjoying music and entertainment while they wait.
TMJ4’s Gideon Verdin says lines are moving swiftly and steadily there without any problems.
Gideon spoke to a voter who says his mom pulled him out of bed to cast a ballot.
"It was kind of confusing because I never Voted but my mama told me that my vote is very important,” said Calvin Robinson.
"If I don't teach what is right then he won’t know,” said his mom, Myesha Harris.
Watch Gideon's full report below:
11:03 a.m. — Long lines in Menomonee Falls.
TMJ4's News Director Tim Vetscher snapped this photo of voters waiting in lines waiting to cast their ballot.
This is at the polling place on Silver Spring Drive near Pilgrim Road.
10:40 a.m. — Tabulator troubles in Waukesha County.
Waukesha's polling place at the National Guard Armory ran into some trouble this morning with a voting tabulator.
TMJ4's Rebecca Klopf stopped by to check things out — she was told voters could wait for a backup machine, or they could put their ballots into a lock box.
More than 200 voters put their ballots in the lock box. Now that the tabulator is fixed, election officials are running those ballots.
Watch Rebecca's full report here:
9:20 a.m. — Voters and poll workers dealing with issues in Racine.
TMJ4's Sydni Eure stopped by the polling place at Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church in Racine after a voter called to report some issues there.
A poll worker told Sydni that the location had the wrong chips in machines earlier in the day, but that they've fixed the issue.
Lines are moving along as normal now. See our full report below:
8:22 a.m. — Bringing the party to the polls.
Who said voting can't be fun? TMJ4's Manager of Digital Content, James Kust, snapped this picture of a DJ from DJs at the Polls bringing the beats to the ballot box.
8:05 a.m. — Polls open for one hour and lines are building up.
TMJ4's Tom Durian snapped these photos of voters lining up to cast their ballots.
Polls have only been open for an hour but people are clearly eager to make their voices heard.
7:13 a.m. – Talking to voters about when the results will be announced.
TMJ4's Symone Woolridge spent some time walking around Milwaukee asking voters what's on their minds and when they expect election results to come down.
Richard Jones told her he's glad he voted early so he doesn't have to worry about going to the polls today. He has a prediction on who will win the election — but he doesn't think the winner will be announced today.
"I think it's going to be a number of days before we actually know who the winner is," he said, adding that he thinks the race will be very close.
Watch Symone’s full report below:
7:02 a.m. — Joe St. George breaks down what each Presidential nominee needs from the Electoral College to win the race.
Joe St. George, Scripps News' Deputy Political Director, joined TMJ4 News Today to talk about Electoral College Votes and the easiest path to the White House for both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Joe also explained why Wisconsin is a key battleground state in the Presidential Election — and how it might even decide the election.
Watch that report here:
7 a.m. — Polls open throughout the state
Polls are officially open throughout the state. Find your polling location here. Polls will close at 8 p.m. tonight.
We're already seeing people line up to cast their ballots.
You can also watch TMJ4's election day coverage on Roku, Apple TV, FireTV, or wherever you stream throughout the day and night.
TMJ4's Sydni Eure started her day at Milwaukee Central Count where election workers received delivery of thousands of absentee ballots this morning. Watch her live report from outside the Baird Center below:
According to the Milwaukee County election clerk, we'll receive election results in two phases. Milwaukee County has eight municipalities that use a central count facility to process every single absentee ballot. That means election results for Greendale, Franklin, Milwaukee, Oak Creek, Shorewood, Wauwatosa, West Allis, and South Milwaukee will be provided.
After each ballot has been processed at Milwaukee County's Central Count, the vote totals from those absentee ballots will then be added to the results received from ballots cast in person at polling locations.
The process is only considered complete when absentee ballot totals are added to the polling place totals. The complete results for each ward will then be posted.
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