Article Summary –
The Wisconsin Elections Commission decided not to proceed with a recall election for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, determining that there were insufficient valid signatures after discounting 188 signatures collected beyond the allowed 60-day window. This decision, which can be appealed in court, was influenced by the argument that despite the extension for the submission deadline due to Memorial Day, the collection period legally remained at 60 days. The rejection of the recall has sparked controversy, with some commissioners and recall organizers arguing that it undermines the democratic process, while others, including Vos’s attorney, maintained it adhered to legal requirements.
Bipartisan Wisconsin Election Commission Rejects Recall of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos
The Wisconsin Elections Commission on Thursday rejected a recall election effort against Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, citing insufficient valid signatures. The vote by three Republican commissioners and one Democrat means Vos, targeted by fellow Republicans and Trump supporters, won’t face a recall unless a court intervenes.
Recall organizers targeted Vos, Wisconsin’s longest-serving Assembly speaker, for refusing to decertify President Biden’s 21,000-vote win, which withstood recounts, lawsuits, and audits. Vos further angered Trump supporters by not supporting the impeachment of elections official Meagan Wolfe.
Elections commission staff initially deemed 16 more valid signatures than needed to force a recall election against Vos. However, the commission rejected an additional 188 signatures collected beyond the 60-day window.
Recall organizers argued the deadline was extended by Memorial Day, but commissioners maintained the 60-day collection period was unchanged. The decision can be appealed in circuit court.
The recall committee criticized the commission, calling for its dismantling, stating it protects those in power rather than administering elections fairly.
Democratic Commissioner Mark Thomsen opposed blocking the recall on a technicality, advocating for the 6,000 petitioners’ rights. Republican Commissioner Don Millis, appointed by Vos, moved to reject the petition for insufficient valid signatures.
Vos has dismissed his opponents as “whack jobs and morons”. His attorney argued signatures collected past the deadline shouldn’t count.
Trump supporters submitted over 9,000 signatures on May 28, needing 6,850 valid ones. After rejecting 188 signatures, only 6,678 were valid. Democratic Commissioner Carrie Riepl joined three Republicans to reject the recall without providing a reason.
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