Record Voter Turnout in Wisconsin? Not likely.

If a major increase in turnout occurs this election season, it is less likely to be seen in Wisconsin than other states. 

This is because turnout was so high four years ago and the race was more competitive at that time than it is now. Almost three-quarters of eligible Wisconsinites cast ballots in 2004, a level rarely achieved by any state at any time in the last several decades. 

"I have a hard time believing it will be higher than 75 percent. Seventy-five percent means just about everybody who could vote, or who had any inclination to ever vote in their lives, did." says Mark Graul, who directed the '04 Bush effort in Wisconsin.

On the other hand, the state's top election official, Kevin Kennedy, has forecast a turnout rate slightly higher than four years ago.

So who does large turnout favor? Most likely Obama because his field operation is seen as better and because of the potential Obama has to drive up participation among people under 30 and African-Americans.