John Nygren, a member of the Wisconsin Assembly, is a candidate for the State Senate in one of this year’s special elections. However, according to this story, he needed 400 valid signatures to place his name on the Republican primary ballot, and only has 398 valid signatures. One other Republican had filed for the same seat, so Republicans will have a nominee in that race. Also Nygren is free to be a write-in candidate in the primary.
Wisconsin is holding several special elections for State Senate this summer. When a recall petition is filed, and has enough valid signatures, the state simply considers that particular seat vacant, and holds a special election. The person being recalled is free to run in that special election.
A write-in vote is a just-in-time nomination petition for a candidate AND a valid ballot vote. Why multiple obstacles to voter choice? Who benefits? The entrenched parties. But their traps can even bite their own.
Just abolish all pre-election petitioning for a place on the election ballot.
It seems to be getting nasty up north. I just read where Republican WI State Supreme Court Justice David Prosser put a choke-hold on fellow Justice Ann Walsh Bradley.
Sad in a way, but finally the Republicans get a dose of the same medicine they have made 3rd parties and independents endure for decades. Poetic Justice, if you ask me.
Filing fees are the only fair way – whether for a Primary or the General Election.