Story compiled by MCJ Staff
Despite evidence of what they called "widespread fraud," the Milwaukee Election Commission decided Monday to allow the recall election of Alderman Michael McGee, Jr. to move ahead.

The commission reportedly found 1,785 valid signatures collected by recall organizer ViAnna Jordan and recall supporters, which is 165 more than needed to proceed with the election.

In a statement regarding their decision, the three-member commission reportedly found evidence of fraud and misrepresentation in the recall effort.

Such aspersions may make any chance of successfully outing McGee very difficult--especially in the eyes of residents in McGee’s sixth aldermanic district, many of whom are staunch supporters of the alderman who is seen by them as a champion of Milwaukee’s Black community and its issues.

McGee supporters and political observers believe the recall campaign is a concerted effort by the alderman’s detractors to remove him from office because of his challenges to the political and economic status quo, which has locked out many Black Milwaukeeans from opportunities.

During the commission’s hearing, McGee and his attorneys also challenged the legitimacy of the 2,919 recall signatures submitted by Jordan and her group. The commission reviewed the alderman’s challenge.

McGee reportedly had no comment on the commission’s decision after the hearing. His attorney, Mike Maistelman said the alderman could appeal the commission’s decision to the State Election Board or Milwaukee County Circuit Court. No decision on taking the case to this next level has been made by McGee or his lawyers.

A John Doe hearing was recently held at the request of the Milwaukee County DA’s office to probe whether or not the signatures were collected legally.

According to news reports, the DA’s office initiated the investigation after it was learned that one of the petition circulators, Joan Hollingsworth--who has worked on numerous political campaigns--reportedly admitted in an affidavit that she misled petition signers and instructed other circulators to do the same.

One commissioner reportedly said they found evidence that circulators allowed children to pass petitions around and that there was misrepresentation and misinformation as it relates to what people were signing.

Barring a possible review of the signatures and the commission’s decision by the election board or the circuit court, the recall election would be held during the regular spring primary.