Wisconsin GOP Gov. Scott Walker has been deliberately stalling special elections in two state districts vacated on Dec. 29 that stand a decent chance of electing Democrats. But after a group founded by former Attorney General Eric Holder sued to compel Walker to call for the elections, Walker suffered a setback from a strict constructionist judge he appointed to the bench. The AP writes:
Dane County Circuit Judge Josann Reynolds, whom Walker appointed in 2014, rejected all of his defense arguments in requiring him to issue an order no later than March 29 calling special elections within the next 11 weeks. Reynolds said Walker’s interpretation of the law was inconsistent and incompatible with a strict interpretation of the Constitution, something she noted the conservative governor has long said he adheres to. [...]
“That is textbook voter disenfranchisement,” plaintiff’s attorney Elisabeth Frost said. “I can’t imagine a more clear case of disenfranchisement of the right to vote.”
The judge agreed. Reynolds said Walker’s interpretation of the law “flies in the face of reason,” ″violates basic rules of grammar” and would lead to an “absurd result.” She said voters would clearly suffer harm if the seats were vacant all year, noting that Walker could be forced to call a special election if the U.S. Supreme Court orders Wisconsin lawmakers to redraw political boundary maps in a redistricting case awaiting a ruling.
Walker had made the inane argument that he wasn't bound by a state law requiring elections to be held if the vacancies occur before the second Tuesday in May in an election year because the vacancies actually occurred last year rather than after Jan. 1 of this year. As you can see, that went well for him.
Republicans hold solid majorities in both state chambers, so Democratic wins wouldn't affect the balance of power. The two seats opened up when Republican Sen. Frank Lasee and Rep. Keith Ripp accepted posts in the Walker administration, and everyone expected special elections to be held to elect replacements. But the Republican party was rocked after witnessing Democrat Patty Schachtner's decisive triumph in a state senate district Trump won by 17 points.