Second attempt to recall Speaker Vos fails, state election officials conclude

 

MADISON Wis. (CBS 58) -- State election officials voted to reject a petition to recall one of the most powerful Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin.

Members of the bipartisan state Elections Commission voted 4-2, determining there were not enough valid signatures to trigger a recall against Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester).

It marks the second time the Vos recall effort has failed.

The decision was made after several hundred signatures were collected after May 26th; the deadline outlined in state law.

Commissioner Mark Thomsen, who was one of two Democratic members opposed to tossing out the recall petition, argued Thursday's vote could set a bad precedent for future challenges.

"I think the recall is a waste of time, waste of money, but there is a constitutional right for these folks (seeking to recall Vos)," Thomsen said. "This whole state is just going to think this whole thing is rigged to take care of power."

Days earlier, an initial review by WEC staff determined there were enough signatures to force a recall but Vos argued hundreds of them were collected over Memorial Day weekend which is past the deadline.

Organizers behind the effort seeking to oust Vos slammed the decision.

"Despite collecting well over the required signatures, the commission, led by Meagan Wolfe, ignored their attorneys' recommendations to certify the recall petition," the Racine Recall Committee said in a statement. "Now, more than ever, we must vote out Robin Vos."

Wolfe, the administrator of WEC, has no authority over what commissioners do and doesn't have a voter either.

Commissioners also decided not to rule on another issue related to which Assembly district Vos could be recalled from. He was elected to the 63rd Assembly District in 2022. However, those voting maps were tossed out by the state Supreme Court a year later after they found them unconstitutional.

Under the new maps signed by Gov. Tony Evers in February, Vos will face reelection in the 33rd Assembly District. The group seeking to recall Vos collected signatures in both districts.

"The problem is we have a court order saying we can't use (the 63rd) district," said Commissioner Don Millis, a Republican. "I think the Supreme Court has decided this for us."

The court refused to clarify which map applies to a recall and special elections after WEC asked them.

Recall organizers have targeted Vos over his refusal to impeach Wolfe and overturn the 2020 election, a move that is legally impossible.