Protest Votes

Wisconsin Recall Elections Begin

Early indicator for 2012 elections.

The fallout from Wisconsin’s anti-union law continued Tuesday, as recall elections for six Republican state senators began. Democratic primaries were held Tuesday, while the general elections in those races will be held on August 9. Three Democratic state senators face recalls; those elections will be held on July 19 and August 16. Only one Democratic candidate ran against the six Republicans, but the state Republican Party put “fake” or “protest” Democratic candidates on the ballot, to force the primaries and give Republicans more time to campaign. If Democrats can take three Republican seats, they will have a majority in the Wisconsin state Senate. The election is looked at as an early indicator of which direction the swing state will go in 2012.