Price Tags of Walker Recall Election Would be Varied, Significant
Patch took a look at what a potential statewide recall election would cost local municipalities.
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UPDATED: 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17.
A statewide recall election for Gov. Scott Walker could cost more than $9 million and as much as $17 million with a primary, according to numbers released by the Government Accountability Board on Jan. 6.
Significant numbers, for sure, but what does that mean to local municipalities and taxpayers?
In an attempt to put a price tag on a possible recall election, cities, villages and towns across the state participated in a survey from the GAB. The survey asked clerks for estimated costs of a hypothetical recall election based on real costs for local elections in November 2010 and April 2011.
Those estimated costs were broken down into three categories:
- Counties: approximately $2.3 million
- Municipalities: approximately $5.8 million
- GAB: approximately $840,000
- Total: approximately $9 million (not including a possible primary)
All municipalities would be financially impacted, but just how would that estimated $5.8 million responsibility be sliced up? Local clerk’s offices will be charged with covering the costs of wages, including overtime and pre-and post-election work in most cases; election training (state law requires a minimum of 1 hour of training per worker the day before an election); postage for mailing absentee ballots; mileage and several other factors.
- In Greenfield, City Clerk Jennifer Goergen submitted an estimated cost of $64,125 to the GAB.
- Oak Creek’s estimate of $27,920 included nearly $20,000 in poll worker wages.
- Muskego’s estimated cost came to $18,565.
- Village Clerk Karie Torkilsen estimated a cost of $22,800 in Caledonia, including $11,000 in poll workers’ wages.
- The Greendale clerk’s office submitted an estimated cost of $16,000, while Mount Pleasant submitted $15,000 and the Sturtevant an estimate of $5,250.
In addition, Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus estimated the costs of one special election to be around $100,000 for the county. That does not, however, include the costs for the individual municipalities in the counties.
The City of Waukesha is estimating that it will cost the city $28,000 to run a special recall election. That figure assumes a preliminary election, according to Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Gina Kozlik. If there is just one special election, Kozlik said, the costs could be around $15,000. The costs include staffing the polls, absentee mailings and processing and all staff time, according to Kozlik.
Most municipal leaders did not plan for special elections in their 2012 budgets and could be scrambling to pull funds from other sources or departments to cover costs. What’s more, in some municipalities, changes in state election laws and the number of regularly scheduled 2012 elections have forced the need to hire additional help. Greenfield recently authorized the filling of an additional part-time position in the clerk’s office to handle data entry.
“This year is going to a financial killer,” Greenfield Mayor Michael Neitzke said. “(The clerk’s office) is overwhelmed with the work associated with recent legislative changes, with guidance that seems to be constantly changing and arriving last minute from the state.”
The above totals also don’t account for a possible primary, should more than one Democratic challenger throw his or her name in the ring to run against Walker.
"There is every indication the Democrats could have more than one candidate, plus you have to consider the potential of state senate recalls," Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester) told Patch earlier this month. "So, really, $9 million could just be the beginning, we could be talking as much as $20 million."
abc def
1:58 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
I suggest that anyone that signed the "recall Walker" papers pay for the added costs. If this is what they wanted...let them pay for it.
Mike Slater
2:38 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Totaly agree, I'll even take it a step further, the person who starts the recall should be responsable to pay for the recall vote costs befor the recall takes place
Dzein Dobry
2:03 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
You mean that Scott Walker could save the state anywhere from $9 million to $17 million by simply resigning?
Darryl
3:08 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Dzein I totaly agree
Mike Slater
3:32 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Dzein,
No, the state would only save the money if their was no recall election, as the 9 to 17 million is the cost for the election. If the State workers dont like what is going on, get a job in the private sector.
abc def
3:42 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!! WALKER SHOULD NOT STEP DOWN/RESIGN.
TOM
5:46 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
DIZZY DUMMY YOU ARE A GOOF SCOTT WALKER IS THE BEST THING THAT HAPPENED TO THIS STATE AFTER THE SILENT MAJORITY VOTED HIM IN AFTER DOLE QUIT BECAUSE HE AND THE CORRUPT UNIONS BANKRUPTED THE STATE HE WILL PREVAIL THE SILENT MAJORITY WILL BE LARGER NOW THAT DEAD PEOPLE CAN NO LONGER VOTE!
too funny!
11:10 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
I love this comment! Too bad some of the others here obviously have a hard time understanding sarcasm... and funny sarcasm at that! Awesome, none the less.
Bren
5:03 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Here's how we could "pay" for that $9,000,000:
Cancel the Voter ID bill, savings = $6,000,000 (approximate)
Cancel the corporate tax cuts = $117,000,000 (approximate)
Savings: $114,000,000
I like this also because then the second wave of financial concessions wrung from public employees would actually support budget relief rather than funding the corporate tax cut.
I also enjoyed Kathy Nicklaus $100,000 estimate for Waukesha County. I hope she didn't forget to count Brookfield again!
Thanks, I'll be here all week.
TOM
5:51 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
PERHAPS YOU HAVE MORE TIME NOW THAT GETTING NAMES OUT OF CEMETARIES DOES'NT HELP THE ELECTION ANY MORE
GearHead
7:13 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Bren, here's how we will "pay" for the 9-25MM cost. You next door neighbor, who could be a fireman, police officer or teacher will lose their job. That's because the unbudgeted cost is upon the local municipality, and unlike Obama and gang, we can't print money. We lose. Thanks a lot.
MacyFray
6:21 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Cancel the voter ID bill? Well I guess it will be harder to get all those illegal votes in if you need an ID. You need an ID for most things in life and if it helps prevent voter fraud I'm all for it. I'll be happy to prove who I am so no one can steal my vote. There is no reason for someone not to have an ID. They are making it very easy to get. Don't start whining that it's too expensive, it will prevent the poor from voting. It's just not true. The only people it prevents from voting are those who are doing it illegally!
Bren
12:40 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Some serious sour grapes going on here. Tom, you have no basis for your claim. Gear, public employees are already losing their jobs in Wisconsin-Walker's budget calls for 21,000+ to be removed from the payroll through retirements, layoffs, and transfers to higher-paying crony appointments. Wisconsin leads the U.S. in public employee job cuts for 2011-10.1% Thanks for voting for Walker and causing misery to so many people and families.
MacyFray, you swallowed the Voter Fraud meme hook, line, and sinker, I see. The incidences of voter fraud are minute-please see my post on J.B.'s "Desperate Men..." blog. I'm sorry there are mushrooms willing to hand over their Constitutionally-protected right to vote over to the plutocrats, but I'm not one of them. If you are going to keep falling for the Voter Fraud meme, at least balance it by discussing the fraud perpetrated on voters during the recent senatorial recall, when out-of-state professional signature collectors were caught misrepresenting their purpose and spreading misinformation (or the fake absentee ballots that were supposed to be mailed to Wisconsin Right to Life's P.O. Box).
GearHead
2:43 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Bren, Wisconsin also pretty much lead the nation in government workers per capita. We are over-represented by governement. So any reduction is going to look big, be it numbers or percentage. That still isn't a bad thing. Goverernment isn't a jobs program; it is about delivering essential public service. You and I disagree on what is essential.
Patriot
10:28 am on Friday, January 20, 2012
@Bren-Get a clue. The only reason you and progressive lefties want voter ID canceled is because the illegals wont be able to vote. Hard to get an ID without the proper LEGAL documentation. Had you let Walker serve his term that would save money. The silent majority will once again prevail. Whats really sad is all those who will lose their jobs in the public sector because of your unions leading you down this path. WAKE UP
Bren
12:24 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
"Get a clue." "Wake up." Yes, more civil comments from the right.
Many people will potentially be affected by the Voter ID bill. Wisconsin's bill is the worst to be brought forward and will cost $6m to enact. Why so stringent? And how do we have the money to spend on this when Wisconsin was supposedly "broke?"
Can you answer my questions civilly? Otherwise don't bother.
robert heule
5:35 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
abc def, your first comment at 1:58 pm today, advocates a poll tax, which would violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Please tell us how you feel about that law.
robert heule
5:40 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
abs def and Mike Slater, try and force us to pay.
Dzein Dobry
5:40 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Hey Bren
Saving $114 million sure sounds great. Unfortunately, some idiot will find your numbers inaccurate. Some people just can't face reality. These same idiots will demand that we check every signature on a million petitions. They consider that money well spent. Some people are just "cook-coo".
Dzein Dobry
7:10 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Hey Tom,
You really have to work on your spelling, grammar and punctuation. A publicn school teacher could help you out considerably. Wait, I forgot, you hate teachers.
TOM
7:26 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
DIZZY I'M HOLLERING I DON'T CARE ABOUT GRAMMER I MADE MY POINT YOU SOUND LIKE SOMEONE WHO IS TRYING TO IMPLY THEY NEVER PI$$ED IN THE SHOWER OR HAD A SKIDMARK IN THE UNDERWEAR !YOUR WHOLE UNION MENTALITY HAS YOU RUNNING AROUND WITH LUMPS IN YOURS YOU ARE USED TO IT BUT THE SILENT MAJORITY IS SICK OF SMELLING IT WALKER WILL PREVAIL HE WILL GET MORE VOTES NOW THAT DEAD PEOPLE CAN'T VOTE
SkinnyDude
9:54 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Wow ..the unions promised a Million signitures and had all these paid organizers and still came up with this SHORT Pre fraud total , Now the Unions will pick the lefties canidate and these trained monkeys will do whatever theyre masters tell them.
In the end, Walker wins again as the short list of people facing Walker are not impressive .Which canidate will sell their soul to the devil? the unions will deliver him or her . Than alot of talk which will be loud and ignorant per the Union playbook. But common sense wil prevail when all is said in done . As Governor Walker continues to move the state and the country FORWARD!
Bren
12:46 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
AWB, they weren't trying to match the total number of votes cast in 2010, they were aiming for 750,000 and you know that. Stop crediting the unions for the recall--this effort has gone way beyond collective bargaining for state employees.
Jason Patzfahl
10:23 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
In order to save taxpayer $, Scott Walker should simply due the admirable thing and step down since almost 27% of the electorate came out in the Wisconsin winter, stood in line and signed the recall. (California got only 7% of their electorate to recall their Governor, and everyone thought that was amazing).
Mike
10:48 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Or Jason, some people will get mad at this comment however, Walker was in NY yesterday getting money from none other than AIG who received $118 billion in TAX PAYOR MONEY for bonuses and bailouts. Instead of giving money to Walker, how about paying the money back to us the taxpayors? Walker could also donate the money received to pay for the recall because quite frankly he created this mess with his policies. 1 million signatures does mean that the people have spoken now. I dislike all politicians but supporting big business over the people is just wrong. I hate unions also so I am not biased that way. Time for us to take off the team jerseys and play nice. the name calling is childish and shows that this country is severely divided and what we seen in the arab region is soon to come to our streets. Neighbor against neighbor coming soon. Are these dirtbags worth it...absolutely not.
Bren
12:47 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Wisconsin Spring!
CowDung
12:24 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Mike:
Have you got a link to support your 'Walker got money from AIG' claim? I thought that his fundraiser was more like a $2500/plate reception. The fact that the reception was hosted by Greenberg (the founder of AIG) doesn't mean that Walker was accepting money from AIG...
GearHead
2:39 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Nice try Jason. Be careful what you wish (or pettition) for. What is admirable is how Walker will survive the recall with a greater vote percentage than before. The idealogical lines cannot be clearer, and you can't field a candidate who can beat him.
Dennis Drews
11:21 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
all those who want this wasteful election, should pay for it. 17 million dollars could go a long way to do good. Why should we ALL pay for it.
Bren
12:51 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
We have to pay for your Governor's actions, so why shouldn't everyone pay their fair share of cleaning up this mess. Next time let's hope more people do a little more research on candidates before they vote. Then we don't get stuck with corporate puppets.
Patriot
10:36 am on Friday, January 20, 2012
@Bren-You are really way out there. Let the democratic process run its course. No instead a few disagee and your answer is RECALL. Just like the clowns in Indiana who have vacated their seats because they dont agree!!!
Bren
12:27 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Patriot, I must be "way out there." I have no idea what your post means.
Patriot
6:06 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
@Bren-The process I am referring to is elections. Gov Walker was elected by the people so allow the process to run its course. If at the end of his term he has not done a good job he will be voted out. But to recall because we dont agree is WRONG
Mike
12:38 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Now its $17 million? I thought the damage to the capital building was $7-$8 million also but was realistically around $250k. This was estimated to be $9 million and when said and done will be much less. Again, the media over exaggerating the costs to get the cattle all riled up. I disagree, Walker created the mess he should pay for the mess with the donations he got yesterday from a company (AIG) that owes the US taxpayors $118 billion...that is billion dollars. Pay us first before giving money to politicians to keep their jobs.
Bren
12:48 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Mike, it was nowhere near the $100,000 Scott Walker claimed it was. The cleaning staff had to remove posters and some tape residue and basically mop the floors. More Walker lies.
Stormy Weather
9:06 am on Friday, January 20, 2012
Bren - Just wondering if you are a paid union blogger because you have their talking points down pat... It's just too bad that you don't have the brains to think for yourself.
Patriot
10:35 am on Friday, January 20, 2012
Most of the hard core progressive LIBS have no clue what common sense or self responsibility is!!! So brain washed with the socialist liberal ideas.
Bren
12:28 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Stormy, you amuse me.
Luvtoroam
6:44 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
How many poor children could have been fed, taught, clothed, etc.? This is a good reason to not have ANY Democrats in office. They do their union buddy bidding-screw the tax payer! Someone needs to explain to me why "public" workers should be "entitled" to more than those folks paying the bills. 8 years of the crook Doyle, that is what they want to go back to? Only in their universe can you walk out of your job, still get paid, disrupt the business of the state and think you deserve more? Get rid of all those bums!
Luvtoroam
6:46 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
And you are smoking some real funny stuff if you believe this recall is going to only cost 9 million!
Patriot
8:39 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
@Luv-Ditto!! Seems to be the norm anymore. I mean look at whats going on in Indiana. The Dems have run off to hide, preventing the Democratic processes because once again the small minority disagree!! These so called Dems, rather the progressive LIBS who have HI-Jacked the Democratic name are desperate and being fed by the BIG UNION BOSSES. People its all about the BIG UNION BOSSES and their bottom line. They could care less about you.
Bren
12:35 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Yes, look what's happening in Indiana. A group of Republicans have started a group called "Lunch Pail Republicans" because they oppose the attacks on public unions in that state. Apparently some of them are public union employees and believe what is happening goes against their traditional Republican values.
Patriot
9:35 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
@Bren-If I am not mistaking its 35 Democrats that have gone under ground. So now please explain to me how that is the democratic process? Amazing how they can introduce and pass legislation when they are the majoritey with no Republicans leaving the State or going underground. Just like when the Obama, Pelosi, Reid machine rammed Obama Care down our throats in the cover of darkness. Pelosi's Quote- "Will just have to pass the bill to see whats in it" followed by a cackle
jack ryan
6:32 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
See what happens when you deceive the voters about what you really are planning.
Patriot
9:36 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
What happens?
jack ryan
5:43 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Recall