More than 412,000 seek absentee ballots in Wisconsin

MADISON (AP) -- More than 412,000 voters have requested absentee ballots in Wisconsin as the deadline to vote early approaches.

The state elections board reported Thursday that 412,000 absentee ballots had been requested. That includes more than 256,000 requested by people in clerks' offices during the in-person early voting time that started last week and ends Friday.

The Government Accountability Board had no comparable number to compare with 2008. Board spokesman Reid Magney cautioned that many more absentee ballots had been requested but not yet reported.

A final tally of absentee voting numbers won't be available until after the election.

Jerry Kennedy of Madison cast his ballot on Thursday, saying he came in early because he wanted to ``get `er done.''