VIROQUA, Wis. — Voters in the Westby Area School District will head to the polls Tuesday, Feb. 17, for the only primary race taking place in Vernon County this spring.
The primary will narrow the field of candidates for Seat 6 on the Westby Area School Board. Three candidates — Peter Engh, David Eggen, and Toby Wood — are vying for the at-large position. The two candidates receiving the highest vote totals will advance to the Spring Election ballot on April 7.
This primary election is limited specifically to residents living within the Westby Area School District boundaries. This includes voters in the City of Westby; the Villages of Chaseburg and Coon Valley; and the Towns of Bergen, Christiana, Clinton, Coon, Hamburg, Harmony, Jefferson, Viroqua, and Webster in Vernon County. Electors in the Town of Portland in Monroe County who reside within the district are also eligible to vote. No other primaries are being held in Vernon County on this date.
Looking ahead to April
While February’s ballot is limited, the April 7 general election will feature contests for statewide, county, and municipal offices.
Top of the ticket is the race for a 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. State Court of Appeals Judges Maria Lazar and Chris Taylor will face off for the open seat. Incumbent Justice Rebecca Bradley did not seek re-election. Because only two candidates filed, no primary was necessary for this statewide race.
In Viroqua, voters will elect a new mayor. Incumbent Justin Running filed a notification of non-candidacy in December, leaving the seat open. Candidates Krista Browne and Roger Call will compete for the position.
Viroqua residents in Ward 8 will see a contested race for city council between incumbent Alderperson Tanja Birke and challenger Chad Hoyum. Other city council seats in Wards 2, 4, and 6 are uncontested.
For the Vernon County Board of Supervisors, most incumbents are running unopposed, but voters in two districts will decide competitive races. In District 14, incumbent Wayde Lawler faces challenger Max Kane, and in District 17, incumbent Lonnie Muller runs against Greg Lawton. A new candidate, Scott Champion, is running for the District 12 seat vacated by Mary Henry.
Other local races effectively decided in April due to lack of opposition include the Viroqua School Board, where incumbents Dana Hohlfelder and Matt Tubbin are the sole filers for two open seats.
How to vote
Polls for the Feb. 17 primary will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m..
Voters must present a valid form of photo identification, such as a Wisconsin driver’s license, U.S. passport, or military ID, to receive a ballot. Those without an acceptable ID can obtain a free ID for voting purposes from the Division of Motor Vehicles.
Residents must be registered to vote. Registration requirements include being at least 18 years old on Election Day, and residing in the election district for at least 28 consecutive days prior to the election. Voters can register at their polling place on Election Day with proof of residence.
To find a specific polling place, check registration status, or view a sample ballot, voters can visit myvote.wi.gov. For additional questions regarding absentee voting or polling locations, residents should contact their respective municipal clerk. Contact information for clerks is available through the Vernon County directory.
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