Legislation aims to put more controls on recall petitions

[hue]

Source: TMJ4 News (vid)

MILWAUKEE - While petitioners work to gain enough signatures to force a recall election for Governor Scott Walker, state legislation is being discussed that might set stiffer regluations for doing so in the future.

State Senator Glenn Grothman plans to reintroduce a bill that would require signed petitions to be notarized. He says he wants to discourage any shennanigans in the petition-taking process.

Right now, petition circulators just sign the bottom of each petition sheet with their address, and they also affirm they personally collected the signatures.

Read more: http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/134538893.html

[msongs]

1. why do republicans hate democracy lol nt

[Scuba]

3. Because they can't win on policy. n/t

[Scuba]

2. Just more crap from the Republicans. By January, 2013 they will control nothing in Wisconsin. n/t

[droidamus2]

4. Again

The Republicans propose a solution for a problem they can not demonstrate or prove exists and surprise, surprise it also takes away more control of the political process from everyday people. At this point it is pretty obvious that the Republican party has no interest in democracy its oligarchy or nothing for them.

[hughee99]

5. As long as the names and addresses on the petition are made public

anyone would have the ability to verify that the signers exist and can go and ask them if they signed. More than that shouldn't be needed.

[hue]

6. They are desperate to control, control, control!!! n/t

[No Elephants]

7. Stupid. As if someone who wanted to fake signatures couldn't become a notary.

Or pay a crooked one.

[ezmerelda39]

8. The GOP bill might as well read..

.."only registered Republican voters will be allowed to vote in any future elections," as this is their ultimate goal. In all probability they would prefer no elections at all in their ideal Democracy. By eliminating as many opposition voters as possible the GOP is the #1 abuser of voter fraud. Oh, what will the Kochers come up with next???

[Swede Atlanta]

9. I hate to say this but..............

I don't think this is an unreasonable requirement. I know this comes at a time when repukes across the country are making it harder to participate in our democracy. But to have the person presenting the signatures for counting and registration to have his/her signature witnessed and notarized is not unnecessarily onerous. It would be something completely different if they wanted to require notarization of every signature.

I'm also not opposed to requiring photo IDs for voting provided the program is introduced and implemented in a reasonable manner. For example, if there would be a phase-in period and states would make it easy for voters to obtain an ID. Consideration would have to be given to citizens who have issues with establishing the place of their birth, etc.

After all integrity of elections is of the utmost important. So just as I don't want voter participation among lower income, minority and elderly populations to be suppressed, I also want to be sure the other side isn't stuffing the ballot boxes by electronic means. We still need to get control of the electronic voting systems and subject them to independent oversight in every state.

[quakerboy]

10. I'd be more impressed if

signature takers were required to affirm that they were state residents and volunteer. Excluding paid out of state agitators would be far more impressive as an attempt to bringing integrity to the process of democracy.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

11. The problem that I have with what you are saying IMHO

is that Republicans, by and large, aren't reasonable and aren't introducing any of these things because they are legitimately concerned for the integrity of the voting process. They are introducing these things because they know they're pissing people off with their policies and (rightfully) fear a backlash and, as such, trying to make it harder for people whom are likely to vote against them to vote in the next election(s).

[Proud Liberal Dem]

12. Once again

Republicans in Wisconsin (and elsewhere) are busy trying to *fix* a "problem" that doesn't really exist. :eyes:

[socialindependocrat]

13. Does that require a notary at each signing location?

Each new law should be focused on making life better for all Americans

If you want to make new restrictive laws - GO THE HELL BACK TO EUROPE!!