Now comes the next political test, and it will be as remarkable as it is unprecedented. At least five Republican state senators who backed Walker’s assault on collective bargaining rights are now all but certain to face recall elections this summer. The number could rise to eight. At the same time, petitions have been filed to recall three Democratic senators. While serious questions have been raised about whether some of the signatures on those petitions were gathered deceitfully, at least some of these recalls are likely to proceed.

Thus, Wisconsin will experience an off-year election where legislative seats across the state are at stake. The Republicans who are being challenged represent districts that cover much of northwest Wisconsin, western Wisconsin, central Wisconsin, the Fox Valley and the Milwaukee suburbs. The targeted Democrats represent the far north, the Green Bay area and the Kenosha area. With these recalls, and special elections to fill vacant state Assembly seats in western and eastern Wisconsin, there are few parts of Wisconsin where voters won’t be voting in legislative elections.