The drive to gather enough signatures to force a recall of Gov. Scott Walker, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and four Republican State Senators culminated in a rally Tuesday where organizers announced they had collected approximately 1.9 million signatures.
Needing 540,208 valid signatures to force a recall election of Walker, organizers said about 1 million people signed petitions supporting the governor's removal.
Recall supporters gathered at Monona Terrace Tuesday to listen to leaders of the movement speak and enthusiastically commemorate the signatures, which were filed earlier in the day at the Government Accountability Board.
It will take more than 60 days before the board, which will now review the petitions, releases final figures on how many signatures are valid.
Democrats are hopeful there is enough momentum to recall Walker in a general election since anti-Walker sentiment amongst Wisconsin voters was strong enough to gather almost twice the needed amount of signatures.
"We've got a lot of work ahead of us. We haven't won anything yet. Starting tomorrow, we need to wake up and get back to work," said Mike Tate, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Tate called the drive for signatures "the most-participated-in recall effort in American history."
Supporters of Walker, Kleefisch, and the four state senators are confident they will retain their positions if an election occurs.
"This shameful recall attempt of the Governor will accomplish nothing but saddle Wisconsin taxpayers with over $9 million in unbudgeted costs," Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Brad Courtney said in a press release. "Wisconsin families will continue to stand with Governor Walker, who has balanced a $3.6 billion budget deficit without raising taxes, and created thousands of new jobs."
Exactly when the anticipated election would happen is uncertain. Legal battles challenging both Republicans and Democrats on issues from ensuring the integrity of the recall process to voting lines have already begun.
Walker successfully sued the Government Accountability Board, the agency charged with overseeing elections, requiring the board do a more thorough review of signatures to catch fake ones.
Also, the ongoing dispute surrounding the new district voting lines put in place this summer will have a huge effect on the four State Senators likely facing a recall. Both Republicans and Democrats have filed lawsuits on the issue.
Now, Democrats and Republicans alike must prepare for what's likely to come.
Both parties have already started intense fundraising efforts. Walker appeared in Texas earlier this week to speak to a group of potential donors.
For Democrats, the glaring question of who will run against the Governor in an election is still unanswered.
