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Wisconsin’s Recall Election Landscape
- zdan, CNN iReport producer
Over the past 16 months Wisconsin has been in the midst of political turmoil. The historic recall election of Governor Walker [R] vs. challenger Tom Barrett [D] is just a week away. This photo essay is a reprise of a CNN iReport from January 2012 when United Wisconsin collected enough petition signatures to force the recall election. Over 45,000 viewers read the story “200 Miles of Wisconsin-Recall Signs Pave the Way” as it chronicled recall signs through the heart of the state. This new photojournalistic view of the current Wisconsin landscape provides a unique glimpse of a state divided.
This series of images captures the pulse of the Wisconsin recalls. For Walker supporters the signs were generally oversized, polished, and were in people’s front yards and displayed by businesses. Pro-Barrett signs were typically more modest in size with a few exceptions. Recall Walker signs were generally homemade. The discrepancy in size and printing may be attributed to the reported $25 million to $2 million imbalance of campaign cash between Walker and Barrett. According to Politifact, “Walker has been able to raise unlimited contributions from individuals and groups since the first petitions seeking the recall election were filed in November 2011. He continued collecting unlimited contributions for the recall until they total the amount of recall expenses he incurred as of March 30, 2012, the day the state ordered the recall election, said Reid Magney, spokesman for the Government Accountability Board.”
The pro-Walker signs generally speak of “We Stand with Walker” or “I Stand with Walker.” The pro-recall signs carry a diverse list of messages including a war on women, a John Doe probe, and cuts to education. In Waukesha, Oconomowoc, and Sussex areas the majority of signs are pro-Walker. Near Madison, Cross Plains and up to La Crosse, pro-Recall and Barrett signs dot the highways. In the last several weeks, more pro-Barrett signs have quickly cropped up. Some Barrett and Walker signs are side by side.
Wisconsin has never been more politicized and divided. In a New York Times magazine article, Dan Kaufman authored a story entitled, “How Did Wisconsin Become the Most Politically Divisive Place in America?” Kaufman highlights how outside interests and Walker’s controversial legislation have fueled the division in Wisconsin. With a near dead heat between Walker and Barrett, voter turnout will likely decide the fate of the state. Beyond the true and faux news, the multitude of Facebook postings and Tweets, the family and friend arguments, and the constant polls, the images captured in this story illustrate how divided the state is. The country will be watching the election on June 5th. The question is, “What and who will Wisconsin be celebrating on July 4th, Independence Day?”
This series of images captures the pulse of the Wisconsin recalls. For Walker supporters the signs were generally oversized, polished, and were in people’s front yards and displayed by businesses. Pro-Barrett signs were typically more modest in size with a few exceptions. Recall Walker signs were generally homemade. The discrepancy in size and printing may be attributed to the reported $25 million to $2 million imbalance of campaign cash between Walker and Barrett. According to Politifact, “Walker has been able to raise unlimited contributions from individuals and groups since the first petitions seeking the recall election were filed in November 2011. He continued collecting unlimited contributions for the recall until they total the amount of recall expenses he incurred as of March 30, 2012, the day the state ordered the recall election, said Reid Magney, spokesman for the Government Accountability Board.”
The pro-Walker signs generally speak of “We Stand with Walker” or “I Stand with Walker.” The pro-recall signs carry a diverse list of messages including a war on women, a John Doe probe, and cuts to education. In Waukesha, Oconomowoc, and Sussex areas the majority of signs are pro-Walker. Near Madison, Cross Plains and up to La Crosse, pro-Recall and Barrett signs dot the highways. In the last several weeks, more pro-Barrett signs have quickly cropped up. Some Barrett and Walker signs are side by side.
Wisconsin has never been more politicized and divided. In a New York Times magazine article, Dan Kaufman authored a story entitled, “How Did Wisconsin Become the Most Politically Divisive Place in America?” Kaufman highlights how outside interests and Walker’s controversial legislation have fueled the division in Wisconsin. With a near dead heat between Walker and Barrett, voter turnout will likely decide the fate of the state. Beyond the true and faux news, the multitude of Facebook postings and Tweets, the family and friend arguments, and the constant polls, the images captured in this story illustrate how divided the state is. The country will be watching the election on June 5th. The question is, “What and who will Wisconsin be celebrating on July 4th, Independence Day?”
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