More than a Million Signatures Collected to Recall Walker!
- Details
- Published on Jan 17, 2012
- Written by Mary Modder
More than a million Wisconsinites signed recall petitions that were turned into the state by the grassroots group United Wisconsin. That's an impressive feat considering our state's stringent procedure for prompting recall elections.
The million-plus signatures are nearly twice that required to prompt a recall election. The Walker recall effort turned in 185 percent of the signatures needed. In comparison, there have been only two successful recalls of governors, 2003 in California and 1921 in North Dakota, with 23 and 32 percent of the electorate signing recall petitions, respectively, in those states. Last week’s total was 46 percent of the Wisconsin electorate, with the number of recall signatures just shy of the votes Walker received in 2010.
In Ohio last year, organizers gathered 32 percent of voters over a three-month period to sign a repeal of their anti-union bill. In the Walker recall, volunteers collected signatures from 46 percent of voters in only two months. This is very impressive!
"We are proud of our members and leaders who volunteered their nights and weekends to help contribute to the success of this grassroots effort," WEAC President Mary Bell said. "It's been amazing to witness the energy and excitement coming from many individuals who have never been politically active before but who want to take action to help reclaim Wisconsin."
In addition to the Walker recall petitions, organizers of separate campaigns exceeded the required signatures to prompt recall elections of Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and four Republican state senators: Terry Moulton of Chippewa Falls, Pam Galloway of Wausau, Van Wanggaard of Racine, and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald.
However, our work is just starting. Even while the celebrations were occurring last week, we were discussing the next steps in the war to reclaim our state. What can you do? Communication is vital: every member needs to stay in touch with their Association Representative(s), the ARs need to stay in touch with the KEA, and, of course, every building needs to have ARs. If your building doesn’t have an AR, this is the time to ask around and find one or two people who are willing to serve. Then contact the KEA, and we will help you hold an election in your building.
Final Recall Numbers:
Gov. Walker - 1MILLION = 185%
Lt. Gov. Kleefisch - 845 =156%
Sen. Moulton - 21K = 140%
Sen. Galloway - 21K = 134%
Sen. Wanggaard - 24k = 156%
Sen. Fitzgerald – 20.6k = 125%
