Walker beats Burke by nearly 6 points

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s margin of victory over Democrat Mary Burke is nearly identical to how much he won when first elected in 2010.

Based on unofficial totals, with nearly all precincts reporting Wednesday, Walker beat Burke by just over 5.7 points. In 2010, Walker beat Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett by 5.8 points.

In the 2012 recall, when Walker again faced Barrett, he won by 6.8 points.

Final results from Tuesday’s election won’t be known until after all 72 counties canvass the vote and report the totals to the state Government Accountability Board.

Based on preliminary numbers, about 54 percent of the voting-age population cast ballots. That is below the predicted turnout of nearly 57 percent.