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9 of the 33 seats in the Wisconsin State Senate 17 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Results of the elections: Republican hold Democratic gain Democratic hold No election Vote Share: 50–60% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Wisconsin |
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Recall elections 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.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3]
The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board (GAB) certified six recall petitions filed against Republican senators[4] 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.[5][6] Of the nine recall elections, Democrats retained all three of their challenged seats; Republicans saw two of their six challenged seats recalled thus they retained their majority in and control of the State Senate, albeit by a slightly narrower margin.[7]
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 approached the $37.4 million spent in the race for governor.[7]
- ^ Liz Halloran (March 8, 2011). "Recall Efforts In Wisconsin Face Tough Odds". National Public Radio. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
- ^ Tom Tolan (April 26, 2011). "At least 9 Wisconsin state senators face recall". National Public Radio. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
- ^ Craig Gilbert. "Recall drives could make history". JSOnline.com. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
- ^ Marley, Patrick; Emma Roller (May 31, 2011). "Panel OKs recall elections against 3 more Republicans". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
- ^ Belkin, Douglas; Kris Maher (March 10, 2011). "GOP Ends Union Stalemate". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
- ^ Smith, Ben (February 21, 2011). "The Wisconsin Nuclear Option". Politico. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
- ^ a b Tom Tolan and Patrick Marley (August 10, 2011). "Republicans take 4 of 6 in recall elections, hold Senate". Jsonline.com. Retrieved October 5, 2011.