Democrats plan to start circulating petitions next month to recall Governor Scott Walker. If they succeed, state Representative Robin Vos (R-Rochester) wants to know what the price tag will end up being to run an election.
Vos on Wednesday sent a request to the Government Accountability Board to calculate the price tag for a probable Democratic primary and general election. He says people have the right to sign a recall petition, but he wants to make sure all of the facts are on the table while people are making that decision.
GAB Director Kevin Kennedy says the request will take some time because the agency will need to talk with local clerks and look at previous election costs. He says any number at this point would only be based on speculation.
However, Vos says it’s possible to get a general idea of what the costs could end up being based on the recall elections over the summer. The GAB estimated the recalls against nine state Senators carried a price tag of just over $2.1 million, so Vos believes a statewide recall of the governor could easily cost at least $10 million.
The Rochester Republican says that’s something voters should keep in mind when petitions are circulating. He says local governments will have to make up for those costs in other ways, which could mean not hiring another teacher or putting off road maintenance.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:05)
