A Dane County judge has ruled that nine state Senate recall elections can proceed as planned. Judge Richard Niess on Friday rejected efforts by Democrats and Republicans to overturn the Government Accountability Board action to certify the recall petitions.
The judge heard arguments from both sides in Dane County court, with many of the claims being largely similar to those made before the GAB last month when it approved the recall elections.
Attorneys for the six GOP candidates had argued those who collected petition signatures were not properly registered with the state, while the attorney for the three Democrats claimed there was widespread fraud among those paid to collect signatures targeting them. Both had asked the judge to toss out the petitions because of their concerns, but the judge sided with the GAB decision that approved the races.
The decision means primary elections in the recalls will move ahead as planned this month.
