GAB and Recall Signatures

Waukesha County Judge Mac Davis was right to order the state Government Accountability Board to identify and strike fake and duplicate names, such as Mickey Mouse and Adolf Hitler. It will make the process even more time-consuming and will also cost taxpayers more; however it would only be fair for Governor Scott Walker’s campaign and the rest of the Republican Party. The GAB estimated that the cost for a statewide recall election would be about $9 million and with the controversy over valid names, the cost will increase from there. But this is towards an election; it is a recall of Wisconsin’s governor. Cost is not the big issue here. The results are. The time and the cost of the obligation is just simply not as worthy as the accountability and ethical stance that the government needs to take. This is a process that is occurring and being monitored—even publically displayed by webcams. It is a process that the state and any government system needs toward justice and fairness.

Organizers need more than 540,000 signatures to force a recall election. There has to be 25% of the number of ballots cast last November. Why should duplicate names count? Those who have signed the petition “80 times” will not be able to vote “80 times.” Why would we spend over $9 million on a recall election if these signatures will only make one vote toward it? The cost and time for the GAB to strike these duplicate names is nothing compared to what is at stake. When you look at the protestors in cities such as Madison and Milwaukee, it may appear that there are enough people to precede a recall election. But are there truly enough people in this state that want the chance to vote again? Evidence is needed and it cannot be based on how long protestors stand at an intersection or how big and bold there signs are.

And for Mickey Mouse and Adolf Hitler—they are not eligible to vote, therefore should not be eligible to sign a petition to recall. Verifying names is important. It is fraudulent. Now, the American Civil Liberties Union is raising concern, milking more time, and stirring up more controversy. ACLU is concerned that through this recall petition verification process, some could potentially be jeopardized. Domestic violence victims could either come up as invalid through the process, or could expose there identity. It would not be ethical to strike these names, but to overlook them would be absurd. This is a public matter and people sign petitions in pen. Your name is exposed and there is no proof yet that these names will even be publicized and potentially harm lives.

The Republican Party and Walker’s campaign should not be held responsible for such derogatory action. They should not have to piece together something that they don’t even want to occur in the first place. They want justice and legitimacy because in a situation of such measure, that is what is needed.