The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, which oversees elections in the state, is now sounding out local election clerks around the state, to determine the most administratively convenient times for the recall elections targeting Republican Gov. Scott Walker.
The GAB sent a letter Wednesday, asking clerks to respond in time for the board’s upcoming meeting this Monday.
Previously, the board has said it might seek additional time for sorting through the million-plus signatures that Democrats submitted — on top of a previous extension that was granted early on — but now this letter points to some specific target dates.
The GAB’s stated goal is to avoid conflicting too much with the various preparations and post-election activities that the clerks already have to do, for both the local elections and Republican primary in the spring, and the party primaries for Congress and state legislature in August.
At the same time, though, the GAB also acknowledges that they would again have to go to court, to seek permission for any but the first of their options — the ones explicitly laid out by the current court order from their past extension.
TPM asked state Democratic Party spokesman Graeme Zielinski for comment.
His reply: “The recall election to replace Scott Walker should happen as soon as possible. The Government Accountability Board seems to continue to ask for more time the less work it has to do. Walker did not challenge a single petition, even though he had ample time and resources. There is no good reason to give Walker any more advantages and delay this election any further.”
In response, state GOP spokesman Ben Sparks told us: “A statewide recall election comes as a significant burden to the state, as well as local governments throughout Wisconsin, and it is reasonable that the Government Accountability Board would ask for input from elections clerks before proceeding. One state-wide recall election will cost the state more than $9 million, not including the cost of a primary. We urge the GAB to continue its efforts to ensure that these recall elections are held on the same date to reduce the growing burden and cost to Wisconsin taxpayers.”
The key section of the GAB’s letter:
1) May 1st Recall Primary and May 29th Recall Election
Pro: These two dates are what is required under the current court order, and the G.A.B. would need to obtain an additional extension from the court to authorize any later dates.
Con: Holding the Recall Primary and Election on these dates would mean holding any second election on the day after Memorial Day. In addition, adhering to these dates would allow the shortest time for clearing memory devices, reprogramming machines, and printing and issuing absentee ballots.
2) May 8th Recall Primary and June 5th Recall Election
Pro: These dates allow additional time after the April 3rd election for post-election tasks and preparation for the recall elections, and also avoid any Memorial Day conflicts.
Con: These dates differ from those authorized under the current court order.
3) May 15th Recall Primary and June 12th Recall Election
Pro: These dates allow the maximum amount of time between post-Spring Election wrap-up and recall elections, while also avoiding conflicts with Memorial Day.
Con: These dates differ from those authorized under the current court order.
4) May 22nd Recall Primary and June 19th Recall Election
Pro: These dates permit additional time between the April 3rd election and Recall Elections.
Con: Holding the Recall Primary and Election on these dates would mean a canvassing conflict with Memorial Day. The Primary date would create issues for canvassing boards that are required to meet on the following Monday, which is Memorial Day. These dates also differ from those authorized under the current court order.
5) May 29th Recall Primary and June 26th Recall Election
Pro: These dates permit additional time between the April 3rd election and Recall Elections.
Con: These dates would require holding the first election the day after Memorial Day. It would also require the shortest turnaround from the recall elections to the August Partisan Primary. These dates also differ from those authorized under the current court order.
