More than two months after the effort was launched, Democrats will deliver petitions to recall Governor Scott Walker later today to the state Government Accountability Board. Recall officials have not released specific numbers for how many signatures will be turned in, but Democratic Party officials have indicated they have much more than the 540,208 needed to trigger a recall.
In a message to supporters Monday, DPW Chairman Mike Tate said the weight of all petitions circulated totals more than 3,000 pounds.
The recall petitions against Walker are not the only ones being submitted to the GAB today. Also expected to be turned in are recall papers against Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, state Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) and three other Republican lawmakers.
Today’s submissions mark the start of a lengthy review process that could stretch out into late spring or even this summer. State election officials have already said they will need more than 60 days to review the petitions, which includes checking the validity of signatures and striking those that do not qualify. The GAB is expected to ask a judge later this week for more time.
The agency has also indicated it wants to hold all recall elections filed for today on the same date, although when that will be remains very uncertain. Challenges to signatures and potential legal battles could leave the recalls delayed until much later this year.
