By: Associated Press//July 8, 2011//
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin judge says recall elections against nine state senators can proceed.
Six Republicans and three Democratic senators face recalls stemming from their positions on Gov. Scott Walker’s contentious collective bargaining law. A primary for the Republicans’ challengers is set for Tuesday.
Both sides contend the recall petitions against them are invalid. The Democrats maintain state election officials should have tossed out the petitions against them because the paperwork is rife with fraud. The Republicans argue recall organizers didn’t properly sign registration statements.
Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess ruled Friday that state election officials explored the parties’ problems in depth and still approved the recalls. He says they had no clear duty to invalidate the contests.