Posted on 09/24/2014 9:00:50 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
A Waukesha County judge tossed out a lawsuit Wednesday attempting to force changes to the Nov. 4 ballot.
Waukesha County Circuit Judge James Kieffer dismissed the case after 25 minutes of arguments because those who brought the suit had not followed a procedure requiring them to first file a complaint with state election officials. The case was brought last week by the campaign committees of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau).
In another blow to the lawsuit, Kieffer also ruled that only electors could bring such a challenge, not the political committees of candidates.
Vos and Fitzgerald had argued the ballots designed by the state Government Accountability Board are confusing. Ballots' formats vary by county, but if successful, the suit would result in ballots in some areas being redesigned and reprinted.
The lawmakers' attorney, Joseph Olson, said he was disappointed in the decision and is weighing what to do next. Vos and Fitzgerald could appeal the ruling, bring a complaint before the accountability board or let the matter drop.
The two legislative leaders contend there is not enough separation between the offices being sought and the name of the first candidate for each race. They also argue a lack of shading and lines makes it difficult to tell where one race ends and the next begins on the ballot. Overall, the design of the ballots could lead to some voters thinking there is only one candidate in some races and could result in some voters missing entire races.
~snip~
But clerks from both parties have raised concerns about the accountability board's design, saying they found it confusing. In response, many of them added lines or shading to the ballots in their counties.
(Excerpt) Read more at jsonline.com ...
Ballot suit thrown out of court. Will they appeal?
FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.
The GAB. Hmmm. Formed from former liberal Dimmie judges.
At least they aren’t printed in cursive.
Dane, Rock, and LaCrosse counties altered their design, as did Milwaulke and Brown. "The ballots for Marathon County, which includes the city of Wausau, more closely track the model ballots, as do the ballots for Ashland, Bayfield and Burnett counties."
Yeah, look at Bayfield and see what they mean. An intelligent voter can figure it out but that's what, 5% of the electorate?
I am sick of these liberal ass hat judges finding every excuse to NOT do their job and throwing out lawsuits because the color of the damn paper. “SICK”, I tell you, SICK! Time for a complete overhaul!
“D” before “R” in the alphabet. But, if you really want to complain to the powers that be, they’ll change it to party color order - “B”lue then “R”ed.
Heads I win, Tails you lose.
We have the ultimate solution to the problem here in MA.
No second line.
It’s in the article ... they flip the party that appears first based on the winner in the national or state contest in the prior election. Pubbies had it the time before.
They should do it alphabetically like the phone book. Love, Aaaaaron Aaaaaabromavitch
If the law proscribes a procedure that is to be followed prior to going to court, you’d best follow it.
speaks volumes to the quality of law grads.
Those ballots are fascinating. Everyone should look at Milwaukee County. What’s with this arrow scheme? This looks like some Common Core exercise!
Thanks for the link.
Fire the GAB.
BTW, who is this Robert Burke running for Gov. on the Libertarian ticket? Any relation to Mary Burke?
My understanding is that ballot position is decided by whomever won the last Presidential election in our State. IOW, had Romney taken Wisconsin, but lost the election overall, the Republicans would have had first place on the ballot.
Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong about that.
Of course Wisconsin is the only state in the nation that allows graduates of local law schools (UW and Marquette) to be admitted to the Bar without taking the exam.
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