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The state chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a conservative advocacy group, is mailing out absentee ballot applications to voters in two state Senate recall districts with instructions to return the material after the date of the election.

The fliers tell voters to return the absentee ballots to their city clerk before Aug. 11, even though the election date for the two districts receiving the mailers is Aug. 9.

Matt Seaholm, state director of AFP, blamed the mistake on a typo, saying his group was not trying to mislead anyone.

"This just went out to our members," Seaholm said. "I'm sure the liberals will try to make a mountain out of a molehill in an attempt to distract voters' attention from the issues."

Other sources say the fliers were received by "card-carrying Democrats active in the recalls" of state Sens. Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls) and Rob Cowles (R-Allouez). Harsdorf is running against teacher Shelly Moore, and Cowles is being challenged by former Brown County Executive Nancy Nusbaum.

Two of the activists who received the AFP mailers are expected to file complaints with the state Government Accountability Board later today. Copies of the complaints were obtained by No Quarter.

Seaholm noted that some critics of his group sign up for AFP material so they can keep tabs on the organization, which backs GOP candidates and causes and was co-founded by billionaire activists David and Charles Koch. He said he couldn't be sure if that is what happened here.

"No (mailing) list is perfect," Seaholm said.

Politico, the national political website, reported on the fliers earlier today. A Wisconsin political activist, Barbara With, also posted a video about them over the weekend.

State election officials put out a statement today encouraging people to keep their guard up for unofficial absentee ballot applications.

Kevin Kennedy, the state's chief elections officer, said his office had received reports of potentially confusing mailers. His agency has seen ones that contain incorrect addresses and dates, he said.

Kennedy said it is legal for political groups and parties to distribute absentee ballot applications, but he encouraged voters not to rely on the fliers.

"If you need or want to vote absentee, contact your municipal clerk directly and request a ballot," Kennedy said in his statement.