The state Government Accountability Board wants a delay in certifying recall elections against the governor, lieutenant governor, and four Republican state senators. The board on Monday approved a plan that would ask a judge to push back a deadline to order elections by 11 days, setting it on March 30th.
If approved, the extension would delay recall primary elections and general elections by one week, putting the first elections on May 8th and the second on June 5th. If any races do not have a primary, the first date would be considered the general election.
The extension is meant to give the agency more time to review petitions and to also avoid conflicts with the April 3rd election and Memorial Day holiday.
AUDIO: GAB director Kevin Kennedy (3:13)
GAB staff had originally wanted to ask for a two week delay, a move that raised concerns from recall organizers and judges on the board. However, Attorney Jeremy Levinson says having elections called before the end of March is more reasonable. Although, he notes that staff reports so far have given all indication that a recall of Governor Scott Walker at this point is a “mathematical certainty.”
If an extension is not granted, Kennedy says they will work under the original March 19th deadline. If that’s the case though, he says it is unlikely staff will have a full review of the petitions completed.
In that scenario, Kennedy says the focus will be on whether there are enough valid signatures on petitions targeting the governor and lieutenant governor to order elections. The GAB has already determined petitions targeting four GOP state senators are sufficient for recalls to take place.
A Dane County judge will be asked to approve the delay on Wednesday.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:10)