Tuesday, May 8, 2012
4:54 PM
GAB director says biggest complaint at polls today about candidates circulating nomination papers
GAB Director Kevin Kennedy says the biggest complaint election officials have received today is over candidates circulating nomination papers at polling sites.
Kennedy said state law allows the circulation of papers at polling sites, but circulators have to be outside the building and cannot badger anyone to sign.
Kennedy said election officials have had similar complaints raised before about petitions circulated at polling sites. This situation is somewhat unique because the circulation period was moved up to April 15 to June 1 because the state primary is now in August.
“We see this occasionally, but right now we’re in the heart of nomination papers so it’s not surprising,” Kennedy said, adding those complaining want a “totally political free zone” at the polling sites.
Kennedy said the other issue is the GAB ordered the removal of all ads and literature directing people to bring state-issued ID cards with them to the polls because of the state’s voter ID law after Dane County judges struck down the requirement.
But the ads weren’t taken down on some Milwaukee buses.
“It’s the kind of thing that tells you when people pay attention to this stuff,” Kennedy said. “It’s on Election Day. It’s a message that should have been communicated already.”
-- By JR Ross
Labels: 2012_recall_elections
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