How Wisconsin's recall election works

Associated Press

Updated: Apr 11, 2012 1:55 PM

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A look at the recall election for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker:

- Wisconsin is one of 18 states that allow for recalls of state elected officials. Of those, only seven limit the reasons for recall to malfeasance in office. Those are Georgia, Montana, Rhode Island, Washington, Minnesota, Kansas and Alaska. A 19th state, Illinois, allows only for the recall of a governor.

- The Wisconsin governor can be recalled after serving one year of a four-year term. Petitioners needed to file 540,208 valid signatures to recall Walker to force an election. The state elections board determined they filed more than 900,000.

- Once a recall election is certified in Wisconsin, it proceeds much the same as any election. Candidates, except the incumbent governor, must file nomination papers with the required number of signatures, in this case 2,000. The incumbent automatically is on the ballot. If more than one candidate for a party files, a primary election is held. The largest vote getter for each primary faces off in the recall election.

- The primary in the Walker recall is scheduled for May 8. The general election is June 5.

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