Wisconsin 2023 spring primary: What to know, who's on the ballot

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The 2023 Wisconsin spring primary will determine the final races for the spring general election on April 4. Here's what you need to know ahead of early voting on Tuesday.

Early voting is from Feb. 7- Feb. 18 and the spring primary is on Feb. 21.

On the statewide ballot is the seat for Wisconsin Supreme Court judge:

• Waukesha County Judge Jennifer Dorow (conservative)
• Former state Supreme Court Justice Dan Kelly (conservative)
• Dane County Judge Everett Mitchell (liberal)
• Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz (liberal)

Only two candidates will advance to the spring general election in April.

The executive director for the City of Milwaukee Election Commission, Claire Woodall-Vogg, urges locals to do their own research before showing up to the polls.

"It's nonpartisan, so that's the question we get a lot, is: why does it not say who's the Republican, who's the Democrat on my ballot?'" shared Woodall-Vogg.

Milwaukee District 1, 5 and 9 also have candidates running for Common Council. Who are the candidates on the ballot?

District 1

• Zandra Bailey
• Marshall Martin
• Vincent G. Toney
• David Bowen
• Andrea Pratt

District 5

• Joe Fisch
• Bruce Winter
• P. Thomas Thadison III
• Annette Jackson
• Lamont Westmoreland
• Ray Banks
• Jeff Spence

District 9

• Odell Ball
• Walt Love
• Donna Ross
• Jasmine Tyler
• Larresa Taylor
• Cherie Ray
• Amber Danyus
• Russell Antonio Goodwin Sr.

In addition, a special election will be held to fill the District 8 Senate seat left by long-serving Republican Senator Alberta Darling.

Woodall-Vogg said that unfortunately, these elections typically have a low turnout even though votes have a bigger impact.

"We saw last spring in Wauwatosa that the race was decided by a provisional ballot," she said.

Requirements at polling sites:

If you've voted before and your residency is the same, a valid license is the only thing required. Here is what will be accepted:

• Voter ID (A Wisconsin driver's license, even if driving privileges are revoked or suspended)
• Wisconsin Identification Card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (available for free)
• A military ID card issued by a U.S. uniformed service
• A U.S. passport, an identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin (can be used even if expired, regardless of expiration date)

If you've never voted in the state of Wisconsin or changed your address, you will need to bring a valid ID, as well as proof of residency -- this may include a credit card statement, paycheck or utility bill.

And if transportation is an issue, a local program promises to offer rides to and from polling places, free of cost anywhere in the Milwaukee area.

"You don't have any excuse, you can call us," said Rev. Gregory Lewis, president and cofounder of 'Souls to the Polls.'

Rev. Lewis said his program has been up and running since 2013, and they count on more than 18 volunteers to help donate their time and vehicles to encourage people to vote during all election cycles. He told CBS 58 that the voters who struggle the most when it comes to finding transportation are minorities--such as Black and Hispanic locals, as well as poor caucasian people, the elderly and those with disabilities.

"We make no excuses, and we don't discriminate against who want a ride," he said.

Those in need of this transportation service should call: 414-213-1821, and they will help coordinate a time and date.

There are seven polling sites in the Milwaukee area and all locations will be open weekdays from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m:

• Midtown Shopping Center (5740 W. Capitol Drive)
• Zeidler Municipal Building (841 N. Broadway)
• Zablocki Library (3501 W. Oklahoma Ave.)

The following locations will be open weekdays from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

• Good Hope Library (7715 W. Good Hope Road)
• Mitchell Street Library (906 W. Historic Mitchell St.)
• Villard Square Library (5190 N. 35th St.)
• Washington Park Library (2121 N. Sherman Blvd.)

You can also enter your address here to identify the closest polling place near you, along with a sample ballot with candidates for your district.