Waukesha County election canvass underway ahead of Dec. 15 vote

We just had an election last week, and voters in Waukesha County will soon be heading back to the polls to cast another ballot. Last week's results are being certified as we speak. Waukesha County reporter Brett Lemoine is live with a look at the process to finish up one election and head straight to another one, Brett. Yeah, we're not done yet here in Waukesha County, Ted and Mary. The canvassing board is just wrapping up for the day here at the county offices. They're going to be back out here. All day tomorrow and again all day Wednesday, of course, the election results from last week are not official until they certify them. Every voter machine used in the county creates a tape or receipt when all the votes are cast. County Clerk Georgia Maxwell and a representative from both the Democrats and Republicans go through and add up every machine's totals. They're also reviewing handwritten poll books to check to see if there were any technical issues with any ballots. Maxwell compares it to the it to balancing a checkbook right down to the penny she says each and every vote is accounted for. The process is live streamed so municipal clerks and, more importantly, members of the public can watch the process live. Turnout last week was 81 percent. Maxwell says that is nearly identical to the last midterm election. But here in Waukesha County, voters still have one more election this calendar year December 15th will be a special election for county executive because of the death of Paul Farrell this past July. The statute is very clear on when a special has to be called and for that special election as it relates to just the county executive. We had between 62 and 77 days period of time for the special. Now, Maxwell said the county was required to pause during that period to break for last week's general election, which is why this particular race was not on the ballot last week and will have a special election next month. And because it's only one race, many municipalities will only be opening one polling place. For example, here in the city of Waukesha, all voters will be voting at City Hall. Reporting live in Waukesha, Brett Lemoine, Fox 6 News.