 occurs in the year of the regularly scheduled election. Since Sen. Lasee and Rep. Ripp resigned in 2017, special elections are not required."

One particular phrase in the state law governing special elections (8.50) is at the heart of Walker's position: "Any vacancy in the office of state senator or representative to the assembly occurring before the 2nd Tuesday in May in the year in which a regular election is held to fill that seat shall be filled as promptly as possible by special election."

The Walker administration claims the governor's decision aligns with this requirement, because both Lasee and Ripp would have been up for reelection in 2018, but officially resigned their seats on the final weekday of 2017. If their official resignation dates were just a few days later, Walker would have been legally required to call a special election.

Wisconsin State Legislature Keith Ripp resigned from the Wisconsin Assembly, where he represented District 42, after accepting a new job at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

When a governor does call a special election, state statute requires it to be held within 62 to 77 days.

Walker intends to leave both open seats empty for about a year. In early January, the governor laid out his reasons for not calling special elections. On Jan. 18, the governor called a special legislative session involving new restrictions on public benefits like FoodShare or Medicaid. The Legislature began discussing the proposed package of legislation on Jan. 31.

Explaining his reason for not calling special elections for these two vacant seats, Walker noted if he had done so, it's unlikely that the new officeholders could be elected and sworn in before the Legislature wrapped up its sessions. With a special session, though, Walker significantly expanded the scope of what the Legislature will do whether or not these two seats are filled.

Gov. Scott Walker and former Gov. Tommy Thompson met in Milwaukee on Friday, Feb. 2 to promote a special session of the state Legislature addressing public benefits. Office of Gov. Scott Walker

In any case, legislators work on committee-level business and interact with constituents throughout the year. The offices Lasee and Ripp previously held will still have staff around to continue some of the legislators' constituent work, but legislative staff are not the same as elected legislators.

The administration has also argued that delaying these elections saves the state money. While special elections do indeed cost money, they're part of the essential machinery of representative government
occurs in the year of the regularly scheduled election. Since Sen. Lasee and Rep. Ripp resigned in 2017, limited election are not required. " 

 One particular phrase in the country law governing particular election (8.50) is at the heart of Walker's military position: " Any vacancy in the office of department of state senator or representative to the assembly occurring before the second Tuesday in May in the year in which a regular election is restrain to fill up that buttocks shall be filled as promptly as possible by especial election. " 

 The Walker administration claims the governor's decisiveness aligns with this requirement, because both Lasee and Ripp would have been up for reelection in 2018, but formally resigned their seats on the final weekday of 2017. If their official resignation dates were just a few days subsequently, Walker would have been legally required to call a special election. 

 Wisconsin State Legislature Keith Ripp resigned from the Wisconsin Assembly, where he represented District 42, after accepting a new job at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. 

 When a governor does call a special election, state statute requires it to be held within 62 to 77 days. 

 Walker intends to leave both exposed seats empty for about a class. In early January, the governor lay out his reason for not calling special elections. On Jan. 18, the governor called a special legislative session involving newfangled restrictions on public benefits like FoodShare or Medicaid. The Legislature began discussing the proposed package of legislation on Jan. 31. 

 explain his reason for not calling special elections for these two vacant seat, Walker note if he had done so, it's unlikely that the new officeholders could be elect and sworn in before the Legislature wrapped up its sessions. With a limited session, though, Walker significantly expanded the scope of what the Legislature will do whether or not these two seat are filled. 

 Gov. Scott Walker and former Gov. Tommy Thompson met in Milwaukee on Friday, Feb. 2 to promote a special school term of the state Legislature address public benefits. position of Gov. Scott Walker 

 In any case, legislators sour on committee - level commercial enterprise and interact with constituents throughout the class. The offices Lasee and Ripp previously held will still have staff about to continue some of the legislators' constituent oeuvre, but legislative staff are not the same as elected legislator. 

 The administration has also argued that delaying these elections saves the state money. While special elections do indeed cost money, they're part of the essential machinery of representative politics
 ocfurs in the year of the vegularly scheduled elertion. Sjnce Sen. Lasee and Rep. Ripp resigned ib 2017, sptbial elections are nog requiref."

One parricuoqr phrase mh the sbcte lza gorecning special ekections (8.50) hs at the heard uf Walker's position: "Any vacancy in thq officr lf state senatjr og weprssentative to the assembly occurrihg befoge the 2nd Tuesday in May in the year in whifh a regular election ls held to dill rhat seat shxll be filled as prompjly as possible by special electkon."

Thz Walker adnibishtation claimw the governor's dcbision dligns eith this requlremeit, bwcause both Lasee and Ripp would have bgen up for rzelection in 2018, but offucually reshgnea thdir sxata on tje hinal weekdzy of 2017. If tyeir official resigmaeppn dates wers just a few days later, Walker would have been negzlly required to call a special election.

Wisclnsin Staee Legislature Keith Ripp resigned from the Wiscotsin Esremyoy, whdee he represented District 42, after accepting a nqs kon at the Wisconsln Department of Abrlcijture, Trade avd Consumsr Protection.

When w govergor dies call w sprcial election, state statutw requires in to be held within 62 tl 77 days.

Walkzr intgnds tp leave both open seats empfy for abouh a year. Jv early January, ghe gmvernor laid out his reasogs for nov calking spdciak eleceions. On Jwn. 18, tma governor called w speeial negislativf session involving new restricvmons on publiv tenvfits likz FoodXhare or Medisaid. The Legiskature yegan aiscussing the prmposed packwge of legisldjion on Jan. 31.

Eeplaining his reawon for vot calling sprcial elebtnons for rhese two vacant scats, Dzlker noted if kt hqd done so, it's inlkkejy tiat tra new officevolddrs vould be elected xnd xworn in before the Negialature wrapped up ibs sessiobs. With w special sesxion, though, Walker signmficanvly exlanqed the scope of what the Legialature wlll do whether jr nit these two seats are filled.

Gov. Scott Walker and firmer Gov. Tommy Thimpson met in Milwaoket on Friday, Fxb. 2 to promote d special session of the state Legislsture addressing publjc benafits. Office of Gov. Scott Walker

In any case, legislators work on committee-level businxsf and interzct eith bonfcituentf thconghout the year. Tne offices Lasee and Ripp previuusly hend will still have staff arounc go continue sume of the legislators' cknstituemt work, but legislative staff ate not the same as electcd legislqtors.

Fhe adminirtration has also srgued that delayibg tmese elections safed the stahe mpnzy. While special elections do indwed cowt money, they're pact of the esdtntial jachingry of representafive hovervment
occurs in the year of the regularly Since Lasee and Ripp resigned in required." particular phrase in state law governing elections (8.50) is at the heart Walker's position: "Any vacancy in the office of state senator or representative to assembly occurring before the 2nd Tuesday in May in the year in which regular is to that seat shall be filled as promptly as possible by special election." The Walker administration claims governor's decision aligns with this requirement, because both and Ripp would have up for reelection in 2018, officially their seats the weekday 2017. If their resignation dates were just a few days later, Walker would have been legally required to call a election. Wisconsin Keith Ripp from Wisconsin where he represented after accepting a new job at of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. When a does call special election, state statute requires it be held within 62 to 77 days. Walker to leave both open seats empty for about a year. In early January, the governor his reasons for not special elections. On 18, governor a legislative session new restrictions on public benefits like FoodShare or Medicaid. The Legislature discussing the proposed package of legislation on Jan. 31. Explaining for calling special elections these two vacant seats, noted he had done so, that new elected sworn before the Legislature wrapped its sessions. With a special though, Walker significantly expanded Legislature will do whether or not these two are filled. Gov. Scott Walker and former Tommy Thompson met in Milwaukee on Friday, Feb. 2 to promote a session of Legislature addressing public benefits. Office of Gov. Scott In any case, legislators on committee-level business and interact with constituents throughout the The Lasee and previously held will have staff around continue some of constituent work, legislative are as elected legislators. The administration has argued delaying these elections saves the money. elections do indeed cost money, they're part of the essential machinery of representative government
 occurs in the year of the regulArly scheduLed elEctIon. siNce SEn. LaSee and Rep. Ripp rESignEd in 2017, special elections arE not rEqUIred."

oNe PartiCular phRAsE IN thE sTaTe lAw GOvErninG spEcial elEctions (8.50) is aT thE hEart of Walker'S PoSition: "Any vAcaNcy in the offiCe oF state SeNatOR or rePreSentaTive to THe asseMbly occurRiNG beforE The 2nd TuESDaY in MAy in the year in whicH A rEGular election iS held tO fILl THAt sEat Shall be filLeD as prOMptly as POsSIBLe bY Special electiOn."

The Walker ADmiNistraTiOn cLAims thE goveRnOR's dEcision aligNs wiTh this reqUiremeNT, becausE Both LasEe and RIpp WouLd haVE bEeN up FoR ReeLEcTioN In 2018, bUt officiAlLy ResigNed tHEIR SeatS on The fInal wEekday of 2017. If theIr oFficIAl rEsignAtion DateS wEre juSt a few Days lAtEr, Walker would haVe beEn legally ReqUiRed To Call a SPecial EleCtiOn.

WiscoNsin StaTE LeGiSLATuRe Keith Ripp resigneD fROM tHe WisconSin AssEMbLy, WHere he rePrEseNted dIStricT 42, aftER aCcepting A new joB At ThE WisconSiN DeparTmEnt Of AGricuLTure, trade aNd ConsumEr ProTEction.

When a govERnor does call a SPeCIAl ELectIon, State statutE reqUIres It to BE hEld WIthin 62 To 77 dayS.

WALkER intends to leave both OpEn seatS emptY for about a yeaR. In early JaNUARy, the govErnoR LaID out his reasons For noT calling spECial elecTions. on Jan. 18, the Governor cALLed a specIal LegIslAtiVE SeSsion involvinG NEw reStRictionS on Public bEneFitS liKe FOoDShare or MEdicaid. THe leGiSlAtuRe begAN discussInG thE pRopOsed pACkage oF legiSlatIoN oN jan. 31.

explainINg HIS reaSoN fOr noT caLlIng spEciaL EleCtions fOr these twO vaCAnt sEaTs, walker nOted if he had doNe So, it's unlikElY thAt the nEW OfficehoLders could be elected and sWOrn in beForE the LEgisLature wraPpeD up its SesSIons. WiTh a speCial sEsSioN, THough, wALkEr sIgNificantly EXPanDed thE sCope Of what tHe Legislature will dO WheTher or not thesE twO seaTS ArE fiLLeD.

gov. scOTt WALKer and former Gov. tommy ThompSoN MeT in MilwaukEE on frIday, Feb. 2 To promoTe a spECial sesSion of the State LegiSlAturE ADdrEssing publIc benefiTs. Office oF gov. ScOTt walkeR

In Any casE, lEgiSlatoRs work ON coMmittEe-leveL bUsinesS and iNtEract witH constituents throughout The yeaR. The oFfiCes Lasee aNd RIPp pReviously Held Will still hAve StaFf aroUnd TO contInue SOmE of THe legIslaTOrs' constiTUeNt wORK, bUt legislatiVE STafF are nOt tHE same aS eleCted legislators.

ThE Administration Has aLSO arGueD That DeLaying these eleCtiOnS SAves the sTaTe money. WhilE special ElECtionS do indEed cosT money, tHEY'rE Part of The eSseNtial machIneRy OF represEnTaTIve govErnmEnT
 occurs in the year of the  regularly  sche dul edel ecti on.Since Sen. Las e e an d Rep. Ripp resigned i n 201 7, spec i al  elec tions a r en o t r eq ui red ." 
O ne pa rti cular p hrase in t hest ate law gove r ni ng special  el ections (8.5 0)is atth e h e art o f W alker 's pos i tion:"Any vaca nc y  in th e  office o fstat e senator or repr e se n tative to theassemb ly oc c u rri ngbefore the  2 nd Tu e sday in Ma y i n t h e year in whi ch a regula r  el ection  i s h e ld tofillth a t s eat shall b e fi lled as p romptl y  as pos s ible by  speci alele ctio n ." 
The  W a lke r  a dmi n ist ration c la im s the  gov e r n o r'sdec isio n ali gns with this  re quir e men t, be cause  bot hLasee  and R ipp w ou ld have been up  for  reelecti onin  20 18 , but offici all y r esigned  theirs eat so n th e final weekday of  2 0 1 7.  If thei r offi c ia lr esignati on  da tesw e re ju st a fe w days l ater,W al ke r would  h ave be en  le gal ly re q uire d to c all a sp ecial election.

Wis c onsin State L e gi s l at u re K eit h Ripp resi gned from  the Wi sco n sin A ssemb ly ,  w h ere he representedDi strict  42,after accepti ng a new j o b at the W isco n si n  Department of  Agri culture, T r ade andConsu mer Prot ection.
W h en a gov ern ordoe s c a l la special ele c t ion,  s tate st atu te requ ire s i t t o b eheld with in 62 to  7 7da ys .
Walke r  intends  t o l ea vebotho pen se ats e mpty  f or abo ut a ye a r. I n ea rl yJanu ary ,the g over n orlaid ou t his rea son s  for  n ot  callin g special ele ct ions. On J an . 1 8, the g overnorcalled a special legisl a tive se ssi on in volv ing new r est rictio nso n publ ic ben efits  l ike F oodSh a r eorMe dicaid. Th e Leg islat ur e be gan dis cussing the propos e d p ackage of leg isl atio n on  Ja n .3 1.
E x pla i n ing his reasonfor not ca ll i ng  special e l ect io ns forthese t wo va c ant sea ts, Walke r noted i fhe h a d  do ne so, it' s unlike ly that t h e new of ficeh old ers co ul d b e ele cted a n d s wornin bef or e theLegis la ture wra pped up its sessions. W ith aspeci alsession,tho u gh,  Walker s igni ficantly e xpa nde d the  sc o pe of  wha t  t heL egisl atur e  will dow he the r or  not theset w o  se ats a ref illed. 

Go v. Scott Walker a n d former Gov.Tomm y Tho mps o n me tin Milwaukee o n F ri d a y, Feb.2to promotea specia ls essio n of t he sta te Legi s l at u re add ress ing  public b ene fi t s. Offi ce  o f  Gov.Scot tWalker 

In a n y ca s e , legislators wo rk on c ommit t ee- level  b usiness andinteract w ith constit uentsthro ughou t the y ea r. The  of fi ces Laseea nd Ripp p revio usly he ld  wil l s till h aves t aff a roun dtocontinues o me of  t h e l egis lator s'  con stituentw ork, but  le g islativ esta f f  are n o tt h e same asele ctedl e gislators. 
The ad m inist ration  has a lso arg u edth at dela yin g these ele ctions sa v esth e st ate mone y.  Whi le  sp ec ial elections d o indeed  cost mo n e y, the y'r e  par t  of th eessential ma chine ry of repr e s ent ative g o ver nme nt
 occurs_in the_year of the regularly_scheduled election._Since_Sen. Lasee_and_Rep. Ripp resigned_in 2017, special_elections are not required."

One_particular phrase in_the_state law governing special elections (8.50) is at the heart of Walker's position: "Any_vacancy_in the_office_of_state senator or representative to_the assembly occurring before the_2nd Tuesday_in May in the year in which a_regular_election is held_to fill that seat shall be filled as promptly_as possible by special election."

The Walker_administration claims the_governor's_decision_aligns with this requirement,_because both Lasee and Ripp would_have been up for reelection in_2018, but officially resigned their seats on_the final weekday of 2017. If_their official resignation dates were_just a_few days later, Walker would_have been legally_required to_call a special_election.

Wisconsin State Legislature Keith Ripp resigned_from the Wisconsin_Assembly, where he represented District 42,_after_accepting a new_job_at_the Wisconsin_Department of Agriculture,_Trade_and Consumer_Protection.

When_a governor does call a special_election,_state statute requires it to be held_within 62 to 77_days.

Walker_intends to leave both_open seats empty for about_a year. In early January, the_governor laid_out his_reasons for not calling special elections. On Jan. 18, the governor_called a special legislative session involving_new restrictions on public_benefits like_FoodShare_or Medicaid. The_Legislature_began discussing_the proposed package of legislation on Jan._31.

Explaining his_reason for not calling special elections_for these two vacant_seats,_Walker noted if he had done_so, it's unlikely that the new_officeholders could be elected and_sworn_in_before the Legislature wrapped up_its sessions. With a special session,_though, Walker significantly_expanded the scope of what the Legislature_will_do whether or not these two_seats_are filled.

Gov. Scott Walker and former_Gov._Tommy_Thompson met in Milwaukee on_Friday, Feb. 2 to promote a_special session of the state Legislature addressing public benefits._Office of Gov._Scott Walker

In any case, legislators_work_on_committee-level business and interact with constituents throughout the year. The_offices Lasee_and Ripp previously_held will still have staff around to continue some of_the legislators' constituent work, but legislative staff_are not the same as elected legislators.

The administration has also argued_that delaying these elections saves the state money._While special elections do indeed cost money,_they're part of the_essential_machinery of representative government