Efforts to recall nine state senators remain underway, but if redistricting plans proposed by Republicans, which have outraged Democrats, are passed by the Legislature the recall elections could be moot in a few years.
Demonstrators have petitioned for recall elections against 16 eligible state senators on both sides of the aisle since the Budget Repair Bill passed in March.
GOP supporters argue that Democrat senators' fleeing the state to prevent a vote on the bill was unconstitutional. Supporters of the Democrats said the way Republican senators passed the bill violated Open Meetings Laws.
Recall elections could dramatically alter the political make-up of the Senate, where Republicans currently hold a 21-19 majority.
Senators facing recall elections are Dan Kapanke, R-La Crosse, Randy Hopper, R-Fond du Lac, Sheila Harsdorf, R-River Falls, Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, Jim Holperin, D-Conover, Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, Robert Cowles, R-Green Bay and Robert Wirch, D- Pleasant Prairie.
In June, the GOP admitted to running ""fake"" Democrats as protest candidates, forcing primaries against candidates backed by the Democratic Party. This measure gives Republican senators an extra month to campaign and pushes general elections originally scheduled for July 12 back to Aug. 9.
All six party-backed Democrats beat their challengers in the July 12 primaries.
But some recall elections could be moot in a few years if the Republican majority's proposed redistricting plan passes in the Legislature.
Historically, local municipalities have changed their ward lines every 10 years based on census data, and then the state government creates legislative districts based on those ward lines. This year, state government released its map first, reversing the process and forcing some municipalities to redraw their lines.
Democrats argue that the proposed redistricting came out early to head off a potential shift in power from recall elections. Opponents also criticize the proposed redistricting for drawing legislators out of their districts and creating strictly urban or suburban and rural districts, making the districts less competitive.
If passed, the new districts would not be implemented before the recall elections in August but could affect future elections.
The Senate is scheduled to vote on redistricting next week.
