MILWAUKEE -- Thousands of voters turned out in Wisconsin Tuesday to offer a symbolic but heartfelt message: Bring the troops home from Iraq.

The vote doesn't really mean anything. But a spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice said Wednesday, "This is what democracy looks like."

The ballot measures were part of more general statewide elections.

The margins favoring withdrawal were overwhelming in some cities and towns and narrow in others, but majorities in 24 of 32 communities where the issue was on the ballot voted yes.

Most of the proposals called for an immediate pullout.

WISC-TV in Madison reported that in Evansville, the ballot asked voters if they support the following statement:

"It is hereby resolved that the people of the city of Evansville, Wisconsin, request that the United States government immediately begin an orderly and rapid withdrawal of all its military personnel from Iraq, beginning with the National Guard and reserves." There was also a second question on the Evansville ballot that is the opposite of the withdrawal question. It declares support for President George W. Bush's leadership and for the troops and promises not to quit the fight until an "unquestioned victory" is clearly won.

Evansville voters supported bringing the troops home by a very narrow margin.

Although Iraq war vote won't affect policy change, activists on both sides of the issue have said that it will send a crucial message to the federal government.

One elderly woman in Madison said she didn't mind that the measures are nonbinding. But she said she's thought from the beginning that the war was "ill-advised."