Elections FAQ 4

How soon after a local official has been elected may citizens petition for the official’s recall?

Under Wis. Stat. sec. 9.10, electors may petition for the recall of municipal elected officials.

A recall petition may not be filed with the municipal clerk before one year has elapsed in the targeted official’s term of office. Wis. Stat. sec. 9.10(2)(s). The petitioner must file a registration statement before filing a petition. Wis. Stat. sec. 9.10(2)(d). The recall petition must be filed with the municipal clerk within 60 days after registration. Wis. Stat. sec. 9.10(2)(d).

Unless no statistics are available to calculate the number of required signatures on a recall petition, the recall petition must be signed by electors equal to at least 25 percent of the vote cast for the office of governor at the last election within the same district or territory as that of the officeholder targeted for recall. Wis. Stat. sec. 9.10(1)(b).