WI GOP claims on signature challenges just got much weaker

[PeaceNikki]

http://elections.wispolitics.com/2012/02/gop-challenges-knock-out-four-with.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

But most of those hinge on an argument that a large portion of the signatures were from those outside the lines of the new Senate districts that Republicans crafted this summer. The GAB said last year that the recall elections will be held under the liens in place since 2002, citing language in the legislation approving the new districts that said those maps didn't take effect until the November 2012 elections.

If those old districts ultimately hold up, the GOP wouldn't be able to disqualify enough signatures from the petitions filed against Sens. Pam Galloway of Wausau and Van Wanggaard of Racine to stop a recall election.

If all other challenges were upheld, the recalls for Sen. Terry Moulton of Chippewa Falls and Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau could still be stopped.

But the petitioners will have the opportunity to rehabilitate signatures challenged for things like illegible information. Those seeking to oust Moulton would only have to rehabilitiate 70 to meet the threshhold in that district. About 160 of the signatures were challenged on the basis that their addresses could not be determined.

Lastly, when it comes to the matter of duplicate signatures and fakes:
*The Moulton petition challenged 265 signatures as duplicates, though noted no fake names.
*Galloway challenged 403 duplicates, though noted no fake names.
*Fitzgerald challenged 205 duplicates, and one fake name that was only noted as having the last name of a well-known slang usage of "sucker."
*Wanggaard challenged 137 duplicates and no fake names.

[Scuba]

1. "Despite the lack of fake names, many of the signatures were challenged on the claim ...."

From the article...

Despite the lack of fake names, many of the signatures were challenged on the claim that they contained signatures in the same handwriting.

These will be easy to check by contacting the person who's signature it's supposed to be. I'm skeptical of the idea that petitioners forged names on any significant scale.


The argument regarding which district lines to use should be DOA. If the GAB upholds that - which I very seriously doubt they would do - there will be half a million People on the Square in four hours.

[DCKit]

2. No wonder they made every (R) pledge silence as they changed the districts.

Is this what Republics call "Building the Brand"?