It’s a Season of Recalls for Voters in Wisconsin

"Summer in Wisconsin once meant a quieter state capital, the State Fair and a run of Brewers baseball games. But in a year of political strife in the state, this is the summer of elections.

On Tuesday, residents in some parts of the state will vote in primary elections that are part of the broadest recall effort in state history. The outcome, to be determined in votes this month and next, will decide whether Republicans, who last fall took control of the governor’s seat and of both chambers of the Legislature, maintain their hold on the State Senate.

Leaders of both parties voiced confidence about the outcomes, but the divide in the Senate is 19 Republicans to 14 Democrats. The flipping of three Republican seats would upend their domination in Madison. The flurry of political ads now playing — included some financed by outside national groups — makes clear the size of the stakes.

“There’s a tremendous amount of intensity to this,” said Mike Tate, the chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party."

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/12/us/12recall.html?ref=politics