County and city clerks are busy preparing for some unprecedented recall elections. Nine State Senators will fight for their seats over the next two months.
That includes three Democrats, Dave Hansen of Green Bay, Jim Holperin of Conover and Robert Wirch of Pleasant Prairie. There are also six Republicans, including Robert Cowles from Allouez, Randy Hopper of Fond du Lac and Luther Olsen of Ripon.
The unusual round of elections has county and city clerks on their toes. They’re working on ballots for a July 12th primary. “They’re at the printers now and they’re being prepared for printing,” Outagamie County Clerk Lori O’Bright explained. Only this primary is a bit different.
It’s a recall and according to O’Bright, it’s generating lots of questions. “It’s my understanding that this is not the norm,” she said.
In the July election, Democrats will be vying for the opportunity to challenge Republican State Senators in six districts. The winners move onto the general recall in August.
“Electors should be aware that there will only be the democratic candidates on the ballot for the July 12th primary,” O’Bright said. But in this case, political science professor Michael Kraft with UW-Green Bay says not everyone running as a Democrat is a Democrat. He says it’s all about buying time.
“The Republicans said they had been so tied up in the state budget legislation that they need more time to prepare for the recall, Democrats of course say no, it’s a stalling tactic in hopes people will be less angry if you wait another 30 days,” Kraft said.
The Government Accountability Board set primaries in all three districts held by Democrats as well.
Full Article: County, city clerks prep for recalls.