Wisconsin Senate recall elections, 2011
Encyclopedia
Recall election
s for nine Wisconsin
state senators were held during the summer of 2011; one was held on July 19 and six on August 9, with two more held on August 16. Voters attempted to put 16 state senators up for recall, eight Democrats
and eight Republicans
, because of the budget bill
proposed by Governor Scott Walker
and circumstances surrounding it. Republicans targeted Democrats for leaving the state for three weeks to prevent the bill from receiving a vote, while Democrats targeted Republicans for voting to significantly limit public employee collective bargaining
. Scholars could cite only three times in American history when more than one state legislator has been recalled at roughly the same time over the same issue.
The Government Accountability Board of Wisconsin (GAB) certified six recall petitions filed against Republican senators and three recall petitions filed against Democratic senators. Democrats needed a net gain of three seats to take control of the Senate. Republicans needed a net gain of one seat to gain a quorum
-proof supermajority
on fiscal spending. Of the nine recall elections, Democrats held on to all three of their challenged seats; Republicans lost two of their six challenged seats. Republicans thus retained their hold on the State Senate.
More than $35 million was spent on the recall races. The spending on the nine races compares to $19.3 million spent in 2010's 115 legislative races, and approaches the $37.4 million spent in the race for governor.
recall elections took place in July. The first general
recall election also took place in that month, with Democratic Senator Dave Hansen
retaining his seat. Six general elections took place on August 9 resulting in four Republican senators retaining their seats and two being defeated with Republicans keeping a majority in the Wisconsin Senate. Two Democratic incumbents (Wirch, Holperin) prevailed in their own recall races on August 16, which left Republicans with a net one-vote majority in the Wisconsin Senate.
Insider Michigan Politics conducted a poll of Senate Districts #12, 18, and 32, releasing the details to subscribers of their private newsletters on August 2, 2011. According to a blogger, their results had incumbent Jim Holperin ahead by 7.4 percent in SD 12, challenger Jessica King ahead by 9.4 percent in SD 18, and challenger Jennifer Shilling ahead by 14 percent in SD 32. However, this was not confirmed independently. On August 9, 2011, King and Shilling won. Holperin and Wirch won their respective recall general elections on August 16, 2011, leaving the Wisconsin Senate with a one vote Republican majority.
, the purpose of the placeholder candidates was to force Democratic primaries and delay the general election, allowing their incumbent Senators to have additional time to campaign. Robocalls were sent out to 20,000 conservative voters for candidate Isaac Weix in an effort to get Republicans to cross over and vote in the primary. All the placeholder candidates were defeated. The cost to the state was estimated to be more than $475,000.
State Republicans blamed the cost on Democrats, stating that it was "all State Democratic Party Chairman Mike Tate's doing", as they had promoted the idea of recalls, and said that Democrats should pay the additional cost. Although recall efforts against Democratic senators began about a week before Republican senators, the Wisconsin Democratic Party officially backed the recall efforts as early as March 2. Official state Republican Party support related to the recall elections occurred when the placeholder candidates were put in place in June.
, a State Representative from House District 89 in Marinette, was removed from the ballot in the July 19 recall election for Democratic Senator Dave Hansen of Green Bay. The state Government Accountability Board voted unanimously on June 27 that Nygren had received only 398 of the required 400 valid signatures on his nominating papers. This only left Recall Organizer David VanderLeest as the only certified candidate against Senator Hansen. The board had initially found that Nygren had submitted 424 qualifying voter signatures, but 39 signatures were challenged by Democrats as not being from Hansen's district, and 26 of the challenged signatures were determined to be invalid. Nygren filed a lawsuit in Dane County Court seeking to overturn the board's decision, but was unsuccessful.
Voters were asked to show photo identification at the polls in order to vote. Because the law was signed on May 25 and had been in effect only since June 10, there was insufficient time for all voters without such identification to obtain a state ID card (a non-driving "driver's license") from the Department of Transportation. Consequently, in a "soft implementation" (practice for future elections), poll workers asked to see photo ID but did not require it. The photo ID serves as proof of identity but not necessarily of residence, which is a separate issue.
, attempting to recall Senator Holperin (D-12th District
) claimed to be intimidated by a crowd of Holperin supporters, one of whom reportedly ripped up some of their recall petitions. Similarly, pro-union protesters in River Falls, Wisconsin
, attempting to recall Senator Harsdorf (R-10th District
) allegedly had their petitions snatched by a local man who drove away in a car before dropping them into a puddle.
On March 17, one Republican petitioner collecting signatures to recall Senator Hansen allegedly stole several personal belongings from a couple. The man in question was found to be from Colorado and had a felony record; he had come to Wisconsin with other out-of-state petitioners. On the evening of April 14, an apparent break-in occurred at an office building owned by supporters of the recall of Senator Hansen. The burglar allegedly made off with petitions, a computer, and t-shirts, worth $1,000 in total. On May 3, Professor Stephen Richards of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
was reprimanded for encouraging students to sign a recall petition against Republican State Senator Randy Hopper.
On June 22, the Wisconsin Republican Party filed a verified complaint with the Government Accountability Board against Shelly Moore for knowingly violating state law by using taxpayer funded resources for political campaigning. Moore, a public school teacher and WEAC union leader, is challenging incumbent candidate Sheila Harsdorf in the 10th Senate district recall election. The Wisconsin Public Purpose Doctrine prohibits the use of government resources for a nonpublic purpose such as campaign activity, and political candidates are prohibited under state law from unlawfully accepting anything of value for campaign purposes. Democrats responded by stating that Moore could not be campaigning, as the recall effort did not exist when the emails were written.
On July 12, exit poll
workers outside voting locations in Menomonee Falls
and Butler
were handing out what appeared to look like voting ballots to those who had voted. Handing out such pieces of paper is illegal within 100 feet of a polling location. Others were accused of blocking polling locations. Menomonee Falls and Butler are within Alberta Darling
's 8th Senate district.
Later that month, Americans for Prosperity
, a conservative group, began sending absentee ballots to Democratic voters in all districts undergoing recall elections, with instructions to return the ballots to the city clerk before August 11 even though the recall election itself is being held August 9 in those districts. In addition, the voters were instructed to return the ballots to what was claimed to be "the absentee ballot processing center", but was actually a mailing address for conservative group Wisconsin Family Action.
On July 29, the Government Accountability Board criticized a Republican-allied voter ID advocacy group We're Watching Wisconsin Elections, for publishing reference guides for election observers that featured "numerous significant and factual errors." For example, the reference guides stated that student voters using their college ID must present "a tuition receipt with their name and address on it dated within the last 9 months". Wisconsin voter ID law does not actually require such a receipt.
On August 1, the Republican Party of Wisconsin filed a complaint with the Government Accountability Board accusing Sandy Pasch's campaign of possible collusion with the group Citizen Action of Wisconsin,of which Pasch is a member of the board of directors. Pasch claimed she had had no contact with anyone at Citizen Action regarding any political activities. Gillian Morris, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, and Robert Kraig, executive director of Citizen Action both stated that there was no coordination whatsoever between Pasch in the recall election, and Citizen Action. An open records request revealed that there was coordination between Rep. Pasch’s office and Citizen Action of Wisconsin as well as receipt of a talking points memo from Citizen Action during the Budget Repair battle. That same day, the liberal group Wisconsin Jobs Now offered free food and offered rides to vote. State election authorities questioned whether it was a violation of election law. Offering rewards in exchange for voting is illegal. On August 3, the anti-abortion groups Wisconsin Right to Life and Family Action allegedly offered gift cards and other rewards to volunteers, according to messages obtained by local press. A Milwaukee County prosecutor is reviewing the issue.
Pro-Democratic unions have fundraised roughly $9.7 million for use in the Wisconsin recall elections. Spending by Republican organizations, such as Americans for Prosperity
, is harder to quantify, as many of them do not report their spendings or receipts publicly. According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, roughly $12-$13 million had been spent on the recall elections by outside groups, as of early August, with conservative groups outspending liberals.
Recall election
A recall election is a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote before his or her term has ended...
s for nine Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
state senators were held during the summer of 2011; one was held on July 19 and six on August 9, with two more held on August 16. Voters attempted to put 16 state senators up for recall, eight Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
and eight Republicans
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, because of the budget bill
Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill
The Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill was legislation proposed by Republican Governor Scott Walker and passed by the Wisconsin Legislature to address a projected $3.6 billion budget deficit.-Legislation summary:...
proposed by Governor Scott Walker
Scott Walker (politician)
Scott Kevin Walker is an American Republican politician who began serving as the 45th Governor of Wisconsin on January 3, 2011, after defeating Democratic candidate Tom Barrett, 52 percent to 47 percent in the November 2010 general election...
and circumstances surrounding it. Republicans targeted Democrats for leaving the state for three weeks to prevent the bill from receiving a vote, while Democrats targeted Republicans for voting to significantly limit public employee collective bargaining
Collective bargaining
Collective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers and the representatives of a unit of employees aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions...
. Scholars could cite only three times in American history when more than one state legislator has been recalled at roughly the same time over the same issue.
The Government Accountability Board of Wisconsin (GAB) certified six recall petitions filed against Republican senators and three recall petitions filed against Democratic senators. Democrats needed a net gain of three seats to take control of the Senate. Republicans needed a net gain of one seat to gain a quorum
Quorum
A quorum is the minimum number of members of a deliberative assembly necessary to conduct the business of that group...
-proof supermajority
Supermajority
A supermajority or a qualified majority is a requirement for a proposal to gain a specified level or type of support which exceeds a simple majority . In some jurisdictions, for example, parliamentary procedure requires that any action that may alter the rights of the minority has a supermajority...
on fiscal spending. Of the nine recall elections, Democrats held on to all three of their challenged seats; Republicans lost two of their six challenged seats. Republicans thus retained their hold on the State Senate.
More than $35 million was spent on the recall races. The spending on the nine races compares to $19.3 million spent in 2010's 115 legislative races, and approaches the $37.4 million spent in the race for governor.
Successful petitions
| Dist. | Location | Incumbent | Party | Signatures required |
Signatures approved (%) |
Days spent collecting signatures (60 max) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Allouez Allouez, Wisconsin Allouez is a village in Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 15,443. It is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... , Ashwaubenon Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin Ashwaubenon is a village in Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 17,634, however many village signs still reflect the 1990 census figure of 17,777. Ashwaubenon is a suburb of Green Bay, Wisconsin and is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan... , De Pere De Pere, Wisconsin De Pere is a city located in Brown County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 20,559 at the 2000 census. De Pere is a suburb of Green Bay and is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Registered historic places:... , Kaukauna Kaukauna, Wisconsin Kaukauna is a city in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, United States, on the Fox River, approximately 100 miles north of Milwaukee, with a population of 12,983. It is a part of the Appleton, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Appleton-Oshkosh-Neenah, Wisconsin Combined... , and Shawano Shawano, Wisconsin Shawano is a city in Shawano County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 9,305 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Shawano County... |
Robert Cowles Robert Cowles Robert L. Cowles is a Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 2nd District since 1987. In August 2011, Cowles faced a recall election, but easily defeated the Democratic challenger, Nancy Nusbaum, sixty percent to forty percent.-Early life and education:Cowles was born in Green... |
Republican | 15,960 | 23,959 (150%) | 58 |
| 8 | Northern suburbs of Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the... |
Alberta Darling Alberta Darling Alberta Darling is a Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 8th District since 1993. She previously served in the Wisconsin Assembly, representing the 10th district from 1990 through 1993... |
Republican | 20,343 | 22,243 (109%) | 50 |
| 10 | River Falls River Falls, Wisconsin River Falls is a city in Pierce and St. Croix counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 15,000 at the 2010 census, making it the second largest city in the Twin Cities Wisconsin suburbs, which is the eighth largest metropolitan area in the state... , Menomonie Menomonie, Wisconsin Two other spellings of the name appear elsewhere, see Menomonee and Menominee. For the town, see Menomonie .Menomonie is a city in and the county seat of Dunn County in the western part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The city's population was 16,264 as of the 2010 census... , Hudson Hudson, Wisconsin Hudson is a city in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 18,937, making it the principal and largest city of the Minneapolis - St. Paul metropolitan area . The Hudson area however had a population of 39,713... , and Grantsburg Grantsburg, Wisconsin Grantsburg is a village in Burnett County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 1,369 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Grantsburg.-Claim to fame:... |
Sheila Harsdorf Sheila Harsdorf Sheila Harsdorf is a Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 10th District since 2001. She previously served in the Wisconsin Assembly, representing District 30 from 1989 to 1999.-Early life, education and career:... |
Republican | 15,744 | 23,685 (150%) | 48 |
| 12 | Northeastern Wisconsin | Jim Holperin Jim Holperin Jim Holperin is a Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 12th District in northern Wisconsin since 2008. Previously, he was Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism from 2003 to 2007 and a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, serving the 34th District from 1982... |
Democratic | 15,960 | 19,255 (121%) | 58 |
| 14 | Baraboo Baraboo, Wisconsin Baraboo is the largest city in, and the county seat of Sauk County, Wisconsin, USA. It is situated on the Baraboo River. Its 2010 population was 12,048 according to the US Census Bureau... , Wisconsin Dells Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin Wisconsin Dells is a city in south-central Wisconsin, with a population of 2,418 as of the 2000 census. It straddles four counties: Adams, Columbia, Juneau, and Sauk. The city takes its name from the dells of the Wisconsin River, a scenic, glacially formed gorge that features striking sandstone... , Ripon Ripon, Wisconsin Ripon is a city in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,828. The City of Ripon's official website claims the city's current population to be 7,701. The city is surrounded by the Town of Ripon.... and Waupaca Waupaca, Wisconsin Waupaca is a city in Waupaca County in the state of Wisconsin. The population was 5,676 at the 2000 census. The city is believed to be named after Sam Waupaca of the Potowatomi tribe.... |
Luther Olsen | Republican | 14,733 | 22,207 (150%) | 47 |
| 18 | Fond du Lac Fond du Lac, Wisconsin Fond du Lac is a city in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, United States. The name is French for bottom of the lake, for it is located at the bottom of Lake Winnebago. The population was 42,203 at the 2000 census... and Oshkosh Oshkosh Oshkosh may refer to:Places in the United States* Oshkosh, Wisconsin, a city and the largest place with the name* Oshkosh , Wisconsin* Oshkosh Township, Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota* Oshkosh, Nebraska... |
Randy Hopper Randy Hopper Randal B. "Randy" Hopper is a former Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 18th District from 2009 until losing his seat to Jessica King in a 2011 recall election. The 18th District includes the cities of Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, and Waupun.... |
Republican | 15,269 | 22,953 (150%) | 36 |
| 22 | Kenosha County Kenosha County, Wisconsin -Demographics: As of the census of 2000, there were 149,577 people, 56,057 households, and 38,455 families residing in the county. The population density was 548 people per square mile . There were 59,989 housing units at an average density of 220 per square mile... |
Robert Wirch Robert Wirch Robert W. Wirch is a Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 22nd district since 1997. He previously served in the Wisconsin Assembly from 1993 through 1997.-Early life, education and career:... |
Democratic | 13,537 | 17,138 (127%) | 55 |
| 30 | Green Bay Green Bay, Wisconsin Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,... , Oconto Oconto, Wisconsin Oconto is a city in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,708 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is located partially within the town of Oconto.-History:... , and Marinette Marinette, Wisconsin Marinette is a city in and the county seat of Marinette County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 11,749 at the 2000 census.Marinette is the principal city of the Marinette, WI–MI Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Marinette County, Wisconsin and Menominee... |
Dave Hansen Dave Hansen Dave Hansen is a Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 30th District since 2001.-Early life and education:... |
Democratic | 13,852 | 15,540 (112%) | 54 |
| 32 | La Crosse La Crosse, Wisconsin La Crosse is a city in and the county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The city lies alongside the Mississippi River.The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 52,485... , Onalaska Onalaska, Wisconsin Onalaska is a city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 18,097. It is part of the La Crosse Metropolitan Area.... , Viroqua Viroqua, Wisconsin Viroqua is the county seat of Vernon County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,079 at the 2010 census. The city is located within the Town of Viroqua.-History:... , and Prairie du Chien Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin Prairie du Chien is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,911 at the 2010 census. Its Zip Code is 53821.... |
Dan Kapanke Dan Kapanke Daniel E. Kapanke is a former Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 32nd District from 2004 until losing his seat to Jennifer Shilling in the 2011 recall elections.-Early life, education and career:... |
Republican | 15,588 | 21,776 (140%) | 30 |
Results
PrimaryPrimary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
recall elections took place in July. The first general
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
recall election also took place in that month, with Democratic Senator Dave Hansen
Dave Hansen
Dave Hansen is a Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 30th District since 2001.-Early life and education:...
retaining his seat. Six general elections took place on August 9 resulting in four Republican senators retaining their seats and two being defeated with Republicans keeping a majority in the Wisconsin Senate. Two Democratic incumbents (Wirch, Holperin) prevailed in their own recall races on August 16, which left Republicans with a net one-vote majority in the Wisconsin Senate.
Primaries
| Date | Dist. | Incumbent | Party | Votes | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 12 | 2 | Nancy J. Nusbaum | Democratic | 14,200 | 65% |
| Otto Junkermann | Democratic (Fake) |
7,576 | 35% | ||
| 8 | Sandy Pasch Sandy Pasch Sandy Pasch is an American nurse from Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin who has been a Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 22nd Assembly District, since her election in 2008.- Background :... |
Democratic | 20,915 | 65% | |
| Gladys Huber | Democratic (Fake) |
11,660 | 35% | ||
| 10 | Shelly Moore | Democratic | 17,496 | 55% | |
| Isaac Weix | Democratic (Fake) |
14,990 | 45% | ||
| 14 | Fred Clark Fred Clark (forester) Fred Clark is a Democratic Wisconsin State Representative representing the 42nd Assembly District, which includes Baraboo, Portage, and Wisconsin Dells, in the Wisconsin State Assembly.... |
Democratic | 14,989 | 67% | |
| Rol Church | Democratic (Fake) |
7,281 | 33% | ||
| 18 | Jessica King | Democratic | 19,562 | 69% | |
| John D. Buckstaff | Democratic (Fake) |
8,957 | 33% | ||
| 32 | Jennifer Shilling Jennifer Shilling Jennifer Shilling is a Democratic member of the Wisconsin State Senate first elected to represent the 32nd district in 2011 . She has also worked as a legislative aide and served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.-Background:Shilling was born Jennifer Ehlenfeldt on July 4, 1969 in Oshkosh... |
Democratic | 25,338 | 70% | |
| James D. Smith | Democratic (Fake) |
10,664 | 30% | ||
| July 19 | 12 | Kim Simac | Republican | 11,301 | 59% |
| Robert Lussow | Republican | 7,767 | 41% | ||
| 22 | Jonathan Steitz | Republican | 5,981 | 64% | |
| Fred R. Ekornaas | Republican | 3,369 | 36% |
General elections
| Date | Dist. | Incumbent | Party | Votes | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 19 | 30 | Dave Hansen Dave Hansen Dave Hansen is a Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 30th District since 2001.-Early life and education:... (inc.) |
Democratic | 22,052 | 67% |
| David VanderLeest | Republican | 11,054 | 33% | ||
| August 9 | 2 | Robert Cowles Robert Cowles Robert L. Cowles is a Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 2nd District since 1987. In August 2011, Cowles faced a recall election, but easily defeated the Democratic challenger, Nancy Nusbaum, sixty percent to forty percent.-Early life and education:Cowles was born in Green... (inc.) |
Republican | 27,037 | 57% |
| Nancy J. Nusbaum | Democratic | 19,974 | 43% | ||
| 8 | Alberta Darling Alberta Darling Alberta Darling is a Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 8th District since 1993. She previously served in the Wisconsin Assembly, representing the 10th district from 1990 through 1993... (inc.) |
Republican | 39,471 | 54% | |
| Sandy Pasch Sandy Pasch Sandy Pasch is an American nurse from Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin who has been a Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 22nd Assembly District, since her election in 2008.- Background :... |
Democratic | 34,096 | 46% | ||
| 10 | Sheila Harsdorf Sheila Harsdorf Sheila Harsdorf is a Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 10th District since 2001. She previously served in the Wisconsin Assembly, representing District 30 from 1989 to 1999.-Early life, education and career:... (inc.) |
Republican | 37,099 | 58% | |
| Shelly Moore | Democratic | 27,250 | 42% | ||
| 14 | Luther Olsen (inc.) | Republican | 26,554 | 52% | |
| Fred Clark Fred Clark (forester) Fred Clark is a Democratic Wisconsin State Representative representing the 42nd Assembly District, which includes Baraboo, Portage, and Wisconsin Dells, in the Wisconsin State Assembly.... |
Democratic | 24,365 | 48% | ||
| 18 | Randy Hopper Randy Hopper Randal B. "Randy" Hopper is a former Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 18th District from 2009 until losing his seat to Jessica King in a 2011 recall election. The 18th District includes the cities of Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, and Waupun.... (inc.) |
Republican | 26,937 | 49% | |
| Jessica King | Democratic | 28,188 | 51% | ||
| 32 | Dan Kapanke Dan Kapanke Daniel E. Kapanke is a former Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 32nd District from 2004 until losing his seat to Jennifer Shilling in the 2011 recall elections.-Early life, education and career:... (inc.) |
Republican | 26,724 | 45% | |
| Jennifer Shilling Jennifer Shilling Jennifer Shilling is a Democratic member of the Wisconsin State Senate first elected to represent the 32nd district in 2011 . She has also worked as a legislative aide and served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.-Background:Shilling was born Jennifer Ehlenfeldt on July 4, 1969 in Oshkosh... |
Democratic | 33,192 | 55% | ||
| August 16 | 12 | Jim Holperin Jim Holperin Jim Holperin is a Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 12th District in northern Wisconsin since 2008. Previously, he was Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism from 2003 to 2007 and a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, serving the 34th District from 1982... (inc.) |
Democratic | 30,321 | 55% |
| Kim Simac | Republican | 24,813 | 45% | ||
| 22 | Robert Wirch Robert Wirch Robert W. Wirch is a Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 22nd district since 1997. He previously served in the Wisconsin Assembly from 1993 through 1997.-Early life, education and career:... (inc.) |
Democratic | 26,524 | 57% | |
| Jonathan Steitz | Republican | 19,662 | 43% |
County Results
| County | won by |
Cowles % |
Cowles votes |
Nusbaum % |
Nusbaum votes |
| Brown | align="center" |R |56% |12,828 |44% |9,889 |
|||||
| Oconto Oconto County, Wisconsin Oconto County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 35,634. Its county seat is Oconto.Oconto County is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was established in 1851.-Geography:According to the U.S... | align=center|R |60% |2,334 |40% |1,543 |
|||||
| Outagamie Outagamie County, Wisconsin Outagamie is a county in the northeast region of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Its county seat is Appleton. As of the 2009 census estimate, its population was 177,155.... | align=center|R |56% |6,744 |44% |5,218 |
|||||
| Shawano Shawano County, Wisconsin Shawano County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 40,664. Its county seat is Shawano.-History:... | align=center|R |60% |4,893 |40% |3,230 |
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| Waupaca Waupaca County, Wisconsin -Demographics: As of the census of 2000, there were 51,731 people, 19,863 households, and 13,884 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 22,508 housing units at an average density of... | align=center|R |72% |238 |28% |94 |
| County | won by |
Darling % |
Darling votes |
Pasch % |
Pasch votes |
| Milwaukee | align="center" |D |38% |13,606 |62% |22,266 |
|||||
| Ozaukee | align="center" |R |67% |8,461 |33% |4,176 |
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| Washington | align="center" |R |73% |7,955 |27% |2,887 |
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| Waukesha Waukesha County, Wisconsin Waukesha County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2008, the population was 380,629. Its county seat is Waukesha.-History:The part of Wisconsin that Waukesha County now occupies was a part of Michigan when Milwaukee County was organized in September 1834. On July 4, 1836, the... | align="center" |R |66% |9,449 |34% |4,767 |
| County | won by |
Harsdorf % |
Harsdorf votes |
Moore % |
Moore votes |
| Burnett | align="center" |R |62% |2,268 |38% |1,419 |
|||||
| Dunn | align="center" |D |44% |2,377 |56% |3,011 |
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| Pierce Pierce County, Wisconsin Pierce County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2010, the population was 41,019. Its county seat is Ellsworth. Pierce County is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area .-Geography:... | align="center" |R |54% |6,014 |46% |5,207 |
|||||
| Polk | align="center" |R |59% |8,376 |41% |5,833 |
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| St. Croix St. Croix County, Wisconsin St. Croix County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2010, the population was 84,345. Its county seat is Hudson. St. Croix County is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Statistical Area . It is the fastest growing county in Wisconsin.-Geography:According to the U.S... | align="center" |R |61% |18,064 |39% |11,780 |
| County | won by |
Olsen % |
Olsen votes |
Clark % |
Clark votes |
| Adams Adams County, Wisconsin Adams County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Sources differ as to whether its name is in honor of the second President of the United States, John Adams, or his son, the sixth President, John Quincy Adams. As of 2000, the population of Adams County was 18,643. Its county seat is... | align="center" |D |42% |288 |58% |395 |
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| Columbia Columbia County, Wisconsin -Unincorporated communities:*Anacker*Belle Fountain*Durwards Glen*East Friesland*Harmony Grove*Ingle*Keyeser*Lake Wisconsin*Leeds*Lowville*Marcellon*North Leeds*Okee*Otsego-External links:***... | align="center" |D |40% |2,804 |60% |4,229 |
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| Fond du Lac Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin Fond du Lac County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 97,296. Its county seat is Fond du Lac. The United States Census Bureau's Fond du Lac Metropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Fond du Lac County. The county name is French for "bottom of the... | align="center" |R |60% |2,394 |40% |1,574 |
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| Green Lake Green Lake County, Wisconsin Green Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 19,105. Its county seat is Green Lake. The center of population of Wisconsin is located in Green Lake County in the city of Markesan.-Geography:... | align="center" |R |64% |4,162 |36% |2,302 |
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| Marquette Marquette County, Wisconsin Marquette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 15,832. Its county seat is Montello.-Geography:... | align="center" |R |51% |2,304 |49% |2,204 |
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| Outagamie Outagamie County, Wisconsin Outagamie is a county in the northeast region of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Its county seat is Appleton. As of the 2009 census estimate, its population was 177,155.... | align="center" |R |57% |748 |43% |567 |
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| Sauk Sauk County, Wisconsin Sauk County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 55,225. Its county seat and largest city is Baraboo. Sauk County is included in the Baraboo Micropolitan Statistical Area and in the Madison Combined Statistical Area.... | align="center" |D |40% |2,833 |60% |4,210 |
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| Shawano Shawano County, Wisconsin Shawano County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 40,664. Its county seat is Shawano.-History:... | align="center" |D |40% |2 |60% |3 |
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| Waupaca Waupaca County, Wisconsin -Demographics: As of the census of 2000, there were 51,731 people, 19,863 households, and 13,884 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 22,508 housing units at an average density of... | align="center" |R |55% |7,495 |45% |6,111 |
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| Waushara | align="center" |R |56% |3,524 |44% |2,770 |
| County | won by |
Hopper % |
Hopper votes |
King % |
King votes |
| Dodge Dodge County, Wisconsin Dodge County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2010, the population was 88,759. Its county seat is Juneau.-Geography:According to the U.S... | align="center" |D |44% |655 |56% |819 |
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| Fond du Lac Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin Fond du Lac County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 97,296. Its county seat is Fond du Lac. The United States Census Bureau's Fond du Lac Metropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Fond du Lac County. The county name is French for "bottom of the... | align="center" |R |54% |14,081 |46% |12,215 |
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| Winnebago Winnebago County, Wisconsin Winnebago County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2009, the population estimate was 163,370. Its county seat is Oshkosh. Winnebago County is included in the Oshkosh, Wisconsin-Neenah, Wisconsin, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... | align="center" |D |45% |12,201 |55% |15,153 |
| County | won by |
Kapanke % |
Kapanke votes |
Schilling % |
Schilling votes |
| Crawford | align="center" |D |46% |2,558 |54% |2,996 |
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| La Crosse | align="center" |D |43% |17,553 |57% |23,109 |
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| Monroe Monroe County, Wisconsin Monroe County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 40,899. Its county seat is Sparta.-Geography:According to the U.S... | align="center" |R |56% |1,222 |44% |975 |
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| Richland | align="center" |D |43% |365 |57% |475 |
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| Vernon Vernon County, Wisconsin Vernon County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2009, the population estimate was 29,324. Its county seat is Viroqua.-History:... | align="center" |D |47% |5,026 |53% |5,637 |
Polling
| Date of poll | Dist. | Incumbent | Party | Result in most recent poll |
Poll information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 15-17 | 30 | Dave Hansen Dave Hansen Dave Hansen is a Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 30th District since 2001.-Early life and education:... (inc.) |
Democratic | 62% | Conducted by PPP Public Policy Polling Public Policy Polling is an American Democratic Party-affiliated polling firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. PPP was founded in 2001 by businessman and Democratic pollster Dean Debnam, the firm's current president and chief executive officer... http://www.dailykos.com/polling/2011/7/15/WI-SD-30/39/WdEvk |
| David VanderLeest | Republican | 34% | |||
| July 21-24 | 2 | Robert Cowles Robert Cowles Robert L. Cowles is a Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 2nd District since 1987. In August 2011, Cowles faced a recall election, but easily defeated the Democratic challenger, Nancy Nusbaum, sixty percent to forty percent.-Early life and education:Cowles was born in Green... (inc.) |
Republican | 51% | Conducted by PPP Public Policy Polling Public Policy Polling is an American Democratic Party-affiliated polling firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. PPP was founded in 2001 by businessman and Democratic pollster Dean Debnam, the firm's current president and chief executive officer... http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/126201963.html?commentSubmitted=y&refresh=8433&page=2#comments |
| Nancy J. Nusbaum | Democratic | 47% | |||
| July 21-24 | 8 | Alberta Darling Alberta Darling Alberta Darling is a Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 8th District since 1993. She previously served in the Wisconsin Assembly, representing the 10th district from 1990 through 1993... (inc.) |
Republican | 52% | Conducted by PPP Public Policy Polling Public Policy Polling is an American Democratic Party-affiliated polling firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. PPP was founded in 2001 by businessman and Democratic pollster Dean Debnam, the firm's current president and chief executive officer... http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/126201963.html?commentSubmitted=y&refresh=8433&page=2#comments |
| Sandy Pasch Sandy Pasch Sandy Pasch is an American nurse from Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin who has been a Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 22nd Assembly District, since her election in 2008.- Background :... |
Democratic | 47% | |||
| August 5-7 | 10 | Sheila Harsdorf Sheila Harsdorf Sheila Harsdorf is a Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 10th District since 2001. She previously served in the Wisconsin Assembly, representing District 30 from 1989 to 1999.-Early life, education and career:... (inc.) |
Republican | 54% | Conducted by PPP Public Policy Polling Public Policy Polling is an American Democratic Party-affiliated polling firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. PPP was founded in 2001 by businessman and Democratic pollster Dean Debnam, the firm's current president and chief executive officer... http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/127249878.html |
| Shelly Moore | Democratic | 42% | |||
| August 5-7 | 14 | Luther Olsen (inc.) | Republican | 50% | Conducted by PPP Public Policy Polling Public Policy Polling is an American Democratic Party-affiliated polling firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. PPP was founded in 2001 by businessman and Democratic pollster Dean Debnam, the firm's current president and chief executive officer... http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/127249878.html |
| Fred Clark Fred Clark (forester) Fred Clark is a Democratic Wisconsin State Representative representing the 42nd Assembly District, which includes Baraboo, Portage, and Wisconsin Dells, in the Wisconsin State Assembly.... |
Democratic | 47% | |||
| August 5-7 | 18 | Randy Hopper Randy Hopper Randal B. "Randy" Hopper is a former Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 18th District from 2009 until losing his seat to Jessica King in a 2011 recall election. The 18th District includes the cities of Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, and Waupun.... (inc.) |
Republican | 49% | Conducted by PPP Public Policy Polling Public Policy Polling is an American Democratic Party-affiliated polling firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. PPP was founded in 2001 by businessman and Democratic pollster Dean Debnam, the firm's current president and chief executive officer... http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/127249878.html |
| Jessica King | Democratic | 51% | |||
| August 5-7 | 32 | Dan Kapanke Dan Kapanke Daniel E. Kapanke is a former Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 32nd District from 2004 until losing his seat to Jennifer Shilling in the 2011 recall elections.-Early life, education and career:... (inc.) |
Republican | 43% | Conducted by PPP Public Policy Polling Public Policy Polling is an American Democratic Party-affiliated polling firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. PPP was founded in 2001 by businessman and Democratic pollster Dean Debnam, the firm's current president and chief executive officer... http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/127249878.html |
| Jennifer Shilling Jennifer Shilling Jennifer Shilling is a Democratic member of the Wisconsin State Senate first elected to represent the 32nd district in 2011 . She has also worked as a legislative aide and served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.-Background:Shilling was born Jennifer Ehlenfeldt on July 4, 1969 in Oshkosh... |
Democratic | 54% | |||
| August 12-14 | 12 | Jim Holperin Jim Holperin Jim Holperin is a Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 12th District in northern Wisconsin since 2008. Previously, he was Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism from 2003 to 2007 and a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, serving the 34th District from 1982... (inc.) |
Democratic | 55% | Conducted by PPP Public Policy Polling Public Policy Polling is an American Democratic Party-affiliated polling firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. PPP was founded in 2001 by businessman and Democratic pollster Dean Debnam, the firm's current president and chief executive officer... http://www.dailykos.com/polling/2011/8/12/WI-SD-12/48/qBTkj |
| Kim Simac | Republican | 41% | |||
| August 12-14 | 22 | Robert Wirch Robert Wirch Robert W. Wirch is a Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 22nd district since 1997. He previously served in the Wisconsin Assembly from 1993 through 1997.-Early life, education and career:... (inc.) |
Democratic | 55% | Conducted by PPP Public Policy Polling Public Policy Polling is an American Democratic Party-affiliated polling firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. PPP was founded in 2001 by businessman and Democratic pollster Dean Debnam, the firm's current president and chief executive officer... http://www.dailykos.com/polling/2011/8/12/WI-SD-22/47/h6Krc |
| Jonathan Steitz | Republican | 42% |
Insider Michigan Politics conducted a poll of Senate Districts #12, 18, and 32, releasing the details to subscribers of their private newsletters on August 2, 2011. According to a blogger, their results had incumbent Jim Holperin ahead by 7.4 percent in SD 12, challenger Jessica King ahead by 9.4 percent in SD 18, and challenger Jennifer Shilling ahead by 14 percent in SD 32. However, this was not confirmed independently. On August 9, 2011, King and Shilling won. Holperin and Wirch won their respective recall general elections on August 16, 2011, leaving the Wisconsin Senate with a one vote Republican majority.
'Placeholder' candidates
In all six Democratic-led recall attempts against Republican Senators, the Republican Party organized and supported the nominations of 'placeholder' candidates in the Democratic primaries (called "Fake Democrats" by some). According to the Republican Party of WisconsinRepublican Party of Wisconsin
The Republican Party of Wisconsin is the Wisconsin affiliate of the United States Republican Party . The state party chair is Brad Courtney...
, the purpose of the placeholder candidates was to force Democratic primaries and delay the general election, allowing their incumbent Senators to have additional time to campaign. Robocalls were sent out to 20,000 conservative voters for candidate Isaac Weix in an effort to get Republicans to cross over and vote in the primary. All the placeholder candidates were defeated. The cost to the state was estimated to be more than $475,000.
State Republicans blamed the cost on Democrats, stating that it was "all State Democratic Party Chairman Mike Tate's doing", as they had promoted the idea of recalls, and said that Democrats should pay the additional cost. Although recall efforts against Democratic senators began about a week before Republican senators, the Wisconsin Democratic Party officially backed the recall efforts as early as March 2. Official state Republican Party support related to the recall elections occurred when the placeholder candidates were put in place in June.
Senate district 30
In Senate district 30, Republican candidate John NygrenJohn Nygren
John Nygren is an American insurance and financial services agent, former restauranteur, and Republican politician from Marinette, Wisconsin, who has served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly's 89th Assembly District since 2007.- Background :Nygren is a fourth generation resident of...
, a State Representative from House District 89 in Marinette, was removed from the ballot in the July 19 recall election for Democratic Senator Dave Hansen of Green Bay. The state Government Accountability Board voted unanimously on June 27 that Nygren had received only 398 of the required 400 valid signatures on his nominating papers. This only left Recall Organizer David VanderLeest as the only certified candidate against Senator Hansen. The board had initially found that Nygren had submitted 424 qualifying voter signatures, but 39 signatures were challenged by Democrats as not being from Hansen's district, and 26 of the challenged signatures were determined to be invalid. Nygren filed a lawsuit in Dane County Court seeking to overturn the board's decision, but was unsuccessful.
Elector qualification changes
These recall elections were Wisconsin's first under provisions of a newly enacted law making two significant changes to the eligibility requirements for voting—photo ID and a longer residency requirement (from 10 to 28 days)—as well as the minor change of requiring electors to sign in on the poll book.Voters were asked to show photo identification at the polls in order to vote. Because the law was signed on May 25 and had been in effect only since June 10, there was insufficient time for all voters without such identification to obtain a state ID card (a non-driving "driver's license") from the Department of Transportation. Consequently, in a "soft implementation" (practice for future elections), poll workers asked to see photo ID but did not require it. The photo ID serves as proof of identity but not necessarily of residence, which is a separate issue.
Political advertising strategies
Although the plan to eliminate most collective bargaining for public employees was the issue that sparked the recall campaigns, neither side talked much about that issue in the recall elections. Democrats were telling voters Republicans had gone the wrong way with the state budget by cutting schools and providing tax breaks to businesses and investors. Republicans touted their ability to honestly balance the state budget and keep taxes low.Recall controversies
Pro-Walker protesters in Merrill, WisconsinMerrill, Wisconsin
Merrill is a city in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 10,728 at the 2010 census. The city is located to the south of and adjacent to the Town of Merrill....
, attempting to recall Senator Holperin (D-12th District
Wisconsin Senate, District 12
The 12th District of the Wisconsin Senate is located in north-eastern Wisconsin, and is composed of parts of Vilas, Oneida, Florence, Lincoln, Marinette, Langlade, Menominee, Oconto, Shawano and Forest Counties.-Current elected officials:...
) claimed to be intimidated by a crowd of Holperin supporters, one of whom reportedly ripped up some of their recall petitions. Similarly, pro-union protesters in River Falls, Wisconsin
River Falls, Wisconsin
River Falls is a city in Pierce and St. Croix counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 15,000 at the 2010 census, making it the second largest city in the Twin Cities Wisconsin suburbs, which is the eighth largest metropolitan area in the state...
, attempting to recall Senator Harsdorf (R-10th District
Wisconsin Senate, District 10
The 10th District of the Wisconsin Senate is located in Western Wisconsin, and is composed of parts of Burnett, Polk, St. Croix, Pierce and Dunn Counties.-Current elected officials:...
) allegedly had their petitions snatched by a local man who drove away in a car before dropping them into a puddle.
On March 17, one Republican petitioner collecting signatures to recall Senator Hansen allegedly stole several personal belongings from a couple. The man in question was found to be from Colorado and had a felony record; he had come to Wisconsin with other out-of-state petitioners. On the evening of April 14, an apparent break-in occurred at an office building owned by supporters of the recall of Senator Hansen. The burglar allegedly made off with petitions, a computer, and t-shirts, worth $1,000 in total. On May 3, Professor Stephen Richards of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public university in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA. It is part of the University of Wisconsin System and offers both bachelor and master degrees...
was reprimanded for encouraging students to sign a recall petition against Republican State Senator Randy Hopper.
On June 22, the Wisconsin Republican Party filed a verified complaint with the Government Accountability Board against Shelly Moore for knowingly violating state law by using taxpayer funded resources for political campaigning. Moore, a public school teacher and WEAC union leader, is challenging incumbent candidate Sheila Harsdorf in the 10th Senate district recall election. The Wisconsin Public Purpose Doctrine prohibits the use of government resources for a nonpublic purpose such as campaign activity, and political candidates are prohibited under state law from unlawfully accepting anything of value for campaign purposes. Democrats responded by stating that Moore could not be campaigning, as the recall effort did not exist when the emails were written.
On July 12, exit poll
Exit poll
An election exit poll is a poll of voters taken immediately after they have exited the polling stations. Unlike an opinion poll, which asks whom the voter plans to vote for or some similar formulation, an exit poll asks whom the voter actually voted for. A similar poll conducted before actual...
workers outside voting locations in Menomonee Falls
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Menomonee Falls is a village in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States, and is part of the Greater Milwaukee area. The population was 35,626 at the 2010 census, making it the most populous village in Wisconsin. It is the fourth largest community in Waukesha County...
and Butler
Butler, Waukesha County, Wisconsin
Butler is a village in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,881 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Butler is located at ....
were handing out what appeared to look like voting ballots to those who had voted. Handing out such pieces of paper is illegal within 100 feet of a polling location. Others were accused of blocking polling locations. Menomonee Falls and Butler are within Alberta Darling
Alberta Darling
Alberta Darling is a Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 8th District since 1993. She previously served in the Wisconsin Assembly, representing the 10th district from 1990 through 1993...
's 8th Senate district.
Later that month, Americans for Prosperity
Americans for Prosperity
Americans for Prosperity is a Washington, D.C.–based political advocacy group. According to their literature, they promote economic policy that supports business, and restrains regulation by government...
, a conservative group, began sending absentee ballots to Democratic voters in all districts undergoing recall elections, with instructions to return the ballots to the city clerk before August 11 even though the recall election itself is being held August 9 in those districts. In addition, the voters were instructed to return the ballots to what was claimed to be "the absentee ballot processing center", but was actually a mailing address for conservative group Wisconsin Family Action.
On July 29, the Government Accountability Board criticized a Republican-allied voter ID advocacy group We're Watching Wisconsin Elections, for publishing reference guides for election observers that featured "numerous significant and factual errors." For example, the reference guides stated that student voters using their college ID must present "a tuition receipt with their name and address on it dated within the last 9 months". Wisconsin voter ID law does not actually require such a receipt.
On August 1, the Republican Party of Wisconsin filed a complaint with the Government Accountability Board accusing Sandy Pasch's campaign of possible collusion with the group Citizen Action of Wisconsin,of which Pasch is a member of the board of directors. Pasch claimed she had had no contact with anyone at Citizen Action regarding any political activities. Gillian Morris, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, and Robert Kraig, executive director of Citizen Action both stated that there was no coordination whatsoever between Pasch in the recall election, and Citizen Action. An open records request revealed that there was coordination between Rep. Pasch’s office and Citizen Action of Wisconsin as well as receipt of a talking points memo from Citizen Action during the Budget Repair battle. That same day, the liberal group Wisconsin Jobs Now offered free food and offered rides to vote. State election authorities questioned whether it was a violation of election law. Offering rewards in exchange for voting is illegal. On August 3, the anti-abortion groups Wisconsin Right to Life and Family Action allegedly offered gift cards and other rewards to volunteers, according to messages obtained by local press. A Milwaukee County prosecutor is reviewing the issue.
Newspaper endorsements
- The Capital Times endorsed Rep. Clark in the 14th SD.
- The Green Bay Press-Gazette endorsed Sen. Cowles in the 2nd and Sen. Olsen in the 14th SD.
Spending
The amount of money being spent on the recall elections was over $30 million, with $25 million of that coming from outside groups on both sides and $5 million being spent by the candidates. The flow of money came as unions saw the recall elections as the best way to halt Walker's agenda and to send a message to other states considering changing their collective bargaining laws. Unions played a significant role for Democrats by spending money on advertising, and supplying manpower in all the Senate districts. Conservative groups responded with their own spending for the elections.Pro-Democratic unions have fundraised roughly $9.7 million for use in the Wisconsin recall elections. Spending by Republican organizations, such as Americans for Prosperity
Americans for Prosperity
Americans for Prosperity is a Washington, D.C.–based political advocacy group. According to their literature, they promote economic policy that supports business, and restrains regulation by government...
, is harder to quantify, as many of them do not report their spendings or receipts publicly. According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, roughly $12-$13 million had been spent on the recall elections by outside groups, as of early August, with conservative groups outspending liberals.