And it will be costly. Local governments have not budgetted for this thing. But it an irony considering that teh goal was to reduce spending:
Colleen Kottke:
With the ink still drying on a divisive collective bargaining law in Wisconsin, cash-strapped municipalities already facing cuts in state aid are bracing for the prospect of another fiscal thumping: recall elections.
"I only budgeted for two elections this year," said Fond du Lac County Clerk Lisa Freiberg. "I didn't budget for a recall election."
If successful, a flurry of petition drives targeting all 16 state senators eligible for recall — eight Democrats and eight Republicans — could leave municipalities scrambling to cover the unexpected expense.
Freiberg said a combination of staff salaries, computer equipment costs and printing expenses could cost Fond du Lac County more than $10,000 if Sen. Randy Hopper, R-Fond du Lac, who represents the 18th District, is called to face voters in a special election. That's roughly 30 percent of the city's election budget.
"We have to find a way to make things balance. Whether we have the money or not, we still have to run an election," Freiberg said. "If the petition is certified, I am anticipating a high voter turnout."
