MADISON, Wis. — A Wisconsin state board has voted to let July recall elections be held against three Democratic state senators who fled the state during a divisive debate on collective bargaining rights for public workers.
Opponents of the recalls argued Wednesday before the Government Accountability Board that widespread fraud in collecting signatures warranted invalidating the signatures.
The board rejected thousands of signatures, but not enough to disqualify the petitions. They voted to certify recall elections for Sens. Dave Hansen of Green Bay, Jim Holperin of Conover and Bob Wirch of Pleasant Prairie.
The senators were targeted for the positions they took on Republican Gov. Scott Walker's proposal taking away collective bargaining rights from most state workers. Republicans pushed through the law, but the state Supreme Court is weighing an appeal.
It will be a summer of heated elections in Wisconsin, as elections also are set for six Republicans facing recalls for supporting Walker's controversial measures.
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