Election board estimates $650,000 cost for recalls

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — State elections officials estimate they will need at least $650,000 in additional funding next year to handle recall petitions.

The Government Accountability Board says it will need to rent office space and hire 50 temporary employees to review the petitions that could contain 1.5 million signatures.

The board’s estimate doesn’t include recall costs for local officials. The Journal Sentinel says recall elections this year for nine state senators cost state and local taxpayers about $2 million.