Wynn PR 12-28-11
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| For more information contact: Brandon VerVelde Legislative Assistant Cell: (920) 207-1899 Brandon.vervelde@legis.wi.gov |
Evan Wynn State Representative, 43rd Assembly District Phone: (608) 266-9650 Rep.Wynn@legis.wi.gov |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 28th, 2011 |
Wynn Authors Bill to Eliminate Recall Bribery
Current law allows recall petitioners to pay cash for signatures
(Whitewater) -- Today, State Representative Evan Wynn (R – Whitewater) announced a bill to eliminate a loophole in state law that allows recall organizers to pay people to sign recall petitions. Wisconsin’s election bribery statutes outlaws paying someone to vote or to sign nomination papers, but nothing in the statutes prohibits bribing someone to sign – or to not sign – a recall petition.
Wynn sought the official opinion of the Government Accountability Board and legislative attorneys before introducing the bill. According to a letter released by Wynn’s office, GAB Director Kevin Kennedy concluded that there is nothing in the statutes that specifically prohibits a person from paying cash for signatures, and added that the GAB “would like to see some legislative reform” in this area.
“Mind-boggling is the only word to describe this legalized bribery,” said Wynn. “It is outrageous that it is perfectly legal to pay someone cash to sign a recall petition, or to not sign a recall petition.”
Wynn said that the issue was brought to his attention after a constituent called to report that a friend was offered and given $10 in cash to sign a recall petition. After referring the issue to the GAB, the loophole was discovered. Wynn said he wants the law to apply equally to those for the recall and against the recall.
“This bill is very simple,” concluded Wynn. “It makes bribing someone to sign or not to sign a recall petition the same crime as bribing someone to vote. I expect both sides of the aisle to embrace this common-sense proposal.”
Rep. Wynn represents the 43rd Assembly District, which covers Whitewater, Milton, Edgerton, and most of western Rock County.
