WI, Beware:

 It's Recall Election Day, and Right-Wingers Are Reportedly Robocalling Voters to Tell Them to Stay Home

I'm not shocked by this, but I am appalled. The blog WI Voices published a postthis morning warning Wisconsin voters to beware of robocalls telling them not to vote in today's recall election.

Robocall Election Fraud in District 10

Registered Democrats from all over the district are reporting the same thing. They are receiving a robocall from a group claiming to be a Right to Life group explaining that they don’t have to go to the polling station to vote, “You don’t need to worry. Your absentee ballot is in the mail.”

This is NOT true. Today, Tuesday July 12, is the last day to vote in the Democratic Primary. You DO NOT have time to mail in your ballot at this point. If you intend to vote, go to your nearest polling station today to vote or to deliver your absentee ballot in person. This robocall is illegal activity and election fraud at its worst. If you receive this call from phone number 703-410-3201, or any other number with area code “703″ (Virginina) – RECORD it and report it. 

Wisconsin progressive blog Blue Cheddar is following the story as well, and notes, "I googled 703-410-3201 on the chance something would turn up and it did. Several people reported that a ‘Joe the Plumber’ message was left  - which came from that number  - asking them to support Scott Walker in March this year."

So it seems likely that there are indeed right-wing shenanigans going on here. And this recall election process has seen it's share of right-wing shenanigans already. The Green Bay Press Gazette:

Today is the first of four recall election days in the next six weeks that could decide the fate of nine senators and change the balance of power in state government. Democratic primary elections will take place in six Senate districts GOP lawmakers control — including that of Sen. Rob Cowles, R-Allouez.

A process that has been marred with controversy from the start grew even more contentious when Republican operatives admitted they were recruiting party members to run as fake Democrats. Now six hopeful contenders must get through a primary election before facing a sitting lawmaker.

We'll all be watching and waiting.

Update: In happier news, a number of firefighters, including some who were at Ground Zero on 9/11, are apparently rallying behind the recall effort. Stand with the firefighters!