WINNECONNE, Wis. – In a move to protect the integrity of local elections, Winneconne school board clerk Kari Flagg has challenged the recall petitions targeting board President Kati Calewarts and Vice President Dean Ackmann. Flagg contends that the recall committees did not complete the required registration paperwork, meaning the 60‑day signature‑circulation window never legally began.
Clerk’s legal challenge
Flagg’s attorney filed a formal response with the Wisconsin Elections Commission on Tuesday, after recall organizers lodged a complaint over the clerk’s rejection of their petitions last month. The response argues that the organizers filed their complaint one day after the statutory 10‑day deadline, rendering it untimely.
According to Flagg, both recall committees submitted July registration forms that left the required depository‑account information blank. Because the forms were incomplete, Flagg maintains that the signature‑gathering period could not commence, and any signatures collected before a proper filing are invalid. She also notes that the original registration forms were never delivered to her office, and that the committees’ October 7 revisions cannot retroactively legitimize previously gathered signatures.
Recall organizers’ position
Recall supporters counter that they delivered the paperwork to the district office in line with past practice. They argue that Flagg’s interpretation raises broader questions about how Wisconsin election law should be applied and what duties election officials have when faced with incomplete filings. The organizers have until November 20 to submit a rebuttal to the clerk’s response.
Signature counts and required thresholds
The petitions allege that they have collected 2,332 signatures against President Calewarts and 2,308 signatures against Vice President Ackmann. Wisconsin law requires 1,475 valid signatures for each recall, meaning the raw numbers exceed the threshold. However, Flagg’s challenge focuses on the legality of those signatures, not the total count.
Context of district controversy
The recall effort emerges amid ongoing disputes within the district over board communication and decisions related to students’ gender identity. The district’s top administrator abruptly retired in September after being placed on administrative leave, adding further tension to an already charged environment.
Next steps
The Wisconsin Elections Commission has not yet ruled on Flagg’s complaint. Both sides await the commission’s decision, which will determine whether the recall petitions move forward to a ballot or are dismissed for procedural deficiencies.
Local residents are encouraged to stay informed about the process, as the outcome will affect the governance of Winneconne’s schools and the community’s ability to hold elected officials accountable.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
