Bill would criminalize multiple signatures on recalls

MADISON, Wis. — A second proposal to criminalize signing recall petitions multiple times is being circulated in the Legislature.

The latest proposal from Republican Sen. Glenn Grothman would make signing more than once a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail. But Grothman says in a letter he sent Monday to lawmakers seeking their support that he would be open to making it a felony if a person signs a petition five or more times.

Last week Republican state Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald proposed making it a felony to sign the same recall petition multiple times.

Under current law, the burden for finding fraudulent or repeat signatures rests with those challenging them and not the state elections board which reviews the petitions once submitted.