Watch Wisconsin
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 9:16 pm
The US state of Wisconsin is going to the polls in a vote seen as an important test ahead of the 2012 presidential elections.
The recall elections have been prompted by Republican Governor Scott Walker's move to limit public employees' collective bargaining rights.
Opponents gathered signatures to force the votes for six Republican senators who backed Mr Walker.
Republican control of the state senate is at stake in the elections.
Two Democratic senators in the legislature face recall elections next Tuesday, after Republicans gathered enough signatures to force those votes.
The polls could shape the agenda for both parties ahead of next year's presidential elections, when Wisconsin may be an important swing state.
About $30m (£18m) has been spent on campaigning in what has been billed as one of the most expensive US state legislative votes in history.
Republicans argued the measure to limit the collective bargaining rights of government employees was necessary to close budget gaps.
But Democrats said the law was an attack on unions.
The legislation, which requires state government employees to pay more for their healthcare and pensions, was signed earlier this year by the newly elected Gov Walker.
It ignited weeks of furious protests by tens of thousands of government workers and their supporters.
Democrats need to come away with a net gain of three seats in the state senate to take the majority and combat Gov Walker's agenda.
Republicans won control of both houses of the legislature and the governor's office nine months ago, and the state government has passed Republican-supported bills with ease since January.
If new lawmakers are voted into power in the recall elections, they will take office within 15 days.
Last month, the Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the bargaining-rights law by a 4-3 decision.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14464327