Demand for Notary services by political activists in Wisconsin may soon jump significantly if a bill requiring circulators of recall petitions to acquire notarized affidavits of identity is enacted.
Senate Bill 270, introduced October 31, would amend election recall petition rules involving petition circulators—requiring them to appear before a Notary, sign an affidavit of identity in their presence, and then have the document notarized with a jurat. The notarized affidavit would verify the petitioner’s identity and attest the circulator personally obtained petition signatures.
If enacted, the bill could impact several ongoing signature-gathering campaigns to recall incumbent Wisconsin officials in upcoming elections — including Governor Scott Walker, who oversaw a transfer of administration of Notaries to the Department of Financial Institutions earlier this year.
Grassroots organization United Wisconsin posted calls for assistance from currently commission Notaries — and even requested people obtain Notary commissions — to ensure enough Notaries are available to handle the demand if the bill is passed.