The state Government Accountability Board says enough valid signatures appear on recall petitions against four state senators to order elections. The decision means Senators Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau), Pam Galloway (R-Wausau), Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls) and Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) will face voters later this year.
Attorney Jeremy Levinson, who represents recall organizers, says the decision is “pretty exciting” and it’s the result of the efforts of thousands of volunteers.
Monday’s ruling came after the board rejected several arguments from the senators, many of which could have stopped the recalls from taking place. Much of that defense hinged on claims that several thousand signatures on each petitions should not count because they came from people living in the senators’ old districts. Attorney Joe Olsen argued new districts approved last summer should have been used to in determining valid signatures.
Olsen says it’s not yet known if the lawmakers targeted by the recalls will challenge the decision in court.
The GAB stopped short of actually certifying the petitions and ordering elections. The move will allow those contests to be scheduled at the same time as likely recall elections against the governor and lieutenant governor.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:09)