Vos challenges recall signatures, claims 'woefully short' to trigger election
MADISON Wis. (CBS 58) --Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has challenged the thousands of recall signatures turned in seeking to oust him.
On Thursday, Vos urged the state Elections Commission to reject the petitions filed against him just a day after calling organizers of the recall "whack jobs" and "morons."
In a complaint, the Rochester Republican argued the signatures turned in were "woefully short" of the minimum needed to trigger a recall.
An initial review by state election officials determined there were not enough valid signatures from residents in Vos' district.
Many signatures in question come from Vos' old 63rd Assembly District, which was recently changed to the 33rd Assembly District under new legislative maps signed by Gov. Tony Evers this year.
The commission has asked the state Supreme Court to clarify which maps apply to a recall election. Justices have asked for arguments on the matter.
The challenge by Vos claims there were four out-of-state convicted felons who submitted nearly 100 petitions. It's illegal for felons to gather signatures, under current law. It also alleges several pages of signatures did not include a valid address.
The filing claims:
— Emilee Fannon (@Emilee_Fannon) March 21, 2024
-four out-of-state convicted felons submitted 94 petitions
-52 pgs did not include a valid address
-32 pgs included dates from circulators that pre-dated the signatures
-the recall was "plagued by fraud and criminality" https://t.co/7pG8jNgcty
Vos was targeted over his refusal to impeach the state's chief election officer, Meagan Wolfe, and decertifying Joe Biden's victory in 2020. It resulted in sharp criticism from former President Donald Trump who demanded Vos do more to investigate unfounded claims of widespread election fraud.
The Racine County district attorney has received about 30 complaints from residents who say their signatures were forged on recall petitions. Once they complete their investigation, they plan to reach out to law enforcement.
"This failed effort has proven to be what I said it would be from the beginning - a waste of time and resources," Vos said in a statement. "That is especially true for the residents whose identities have been stolen and the local officials who must now investigate these matters."
Attorney General Josh Kaul predicted his office could be asked to step in and prosecute individuals involved.
"That case could end up in front of our office in a few different ways whether it’s the recall petition itself or potentially on the investigative side," Kaul said in an interview with CBS 58. "For the time being, I'm following these developments as they’re happening."