Wednesday, October 19, 2011
4:51 PM
GAB: New district boundaries don't apply to recalls held before Nov. 2012
The new legislative district lines lawmakers drew this summer will not apply to any recall or special elections held before the Nov. 6, 2012, general election, the GAB staff opined today.
Agency Director Kevin Kennedy sent a memo to the chief clerks of both houses laying out the staff's opinion that the language in the legislation lawmakers approved is "very clear" when it comes to when the lines take effect for elections. The act states that it "first applies, with respect to regular elections, to offices filled at the 2012 general election." Kennedy also noted the legislation states the law "first applies, with respect to special or recall elections, to offices filled or contested concurrently with the 2012 general election."
What lines possible recall elections will be held under could have significant impacts on those races, particularly for targets like Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine. His district becomes significantly more Republican under the new lines than its current composition.
While those new district lines aren't in place for elections until November 2012, the GAB staff found lawmakers are allowed to expend state resources to send mail to constituents in their newly drawn districts and to travel within the boundaries that will be in place for the 2012 elections for legislative business.
Kennedy noted the memo represented staff opinion and not a formal opinion from the Government Accountability Board. The staff's conclusions will be presented to the board in the "form of recommended guidance to share with legislators and the public," Kennedy wrote.
-- By Staff
Labels: 2012_recall_elections
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