MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Democratic Party is calling for an investigation into whether a conservative group tried to suppress turnout in next week's state senate recall elections by misinforming voters about the deadline for absentee ballots.
State Democratic Party Chairman Mike Tate on Tuesday asked U.S. Attorney James Santelle to investigate an Americans for Prosperity mailing that erroneously stated that absentee ballots received before Aug. 11 for an Aug. 9 election would count. Only ballots received by Aug. 9 will count.
Americans for Prosperity state director Matt Seaholm blames the error on a typo and says complaints over the mailing are frivolous.
Six Senate Republicans and two Senate Democrats are facing recall elections in the next two weeks. The Democrats need a net gain of three seats to control the state Senate.
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