MADISON (AP) -- Supporters of recalling Republican
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker will have until Jan. 17 to collect more than 540,000
signatures to force an election sometime in the spring.
The chairman of the Democratic Party announced on Monday
that the recall effort would begin on Nov. 15. The party said on its website
that the petitions would be due on Jan. 13.
A spokesman for the Government Accountability Board, which
oversees elections, said Tuesday the deadline will be a little later since it
falls on a Saturday and the following Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Board spokesman Reid Magney says the deadline is actually
Tuesday, Jan. 17.
The earliest an election would be is March 27. If there is
a primary, the general election would be April 24.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights
Reserved.)
Chairman Mike Tate announced on the state Democratic Party's website Monday that petitions will be circulated starting then. Supporters of recalling Walker will have to collect 540,208 signatures by Jan. 13.
The Walker recall is motivated by the Republican governor's proposal taking away nearly all collective bargaining rights from most public workers.
Once signatures are submitted to the Government Accountability Board, it has 31 days to review them, but it is likely to seek an extension. The election must be six Tuesdays from the day signatures are verified.
There could also be legal fights that would delay the election.
No Democrat has announced plans to run against Walker.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
