UPDATE: 6 fake Dems allowed on ballot, issue may go to court - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

MADISON (WKOW) -- The Government Accountability Board rejected a challenge by a Democratic attorney Tuesday morning, unanimously voting to allow six "fake democrats" on the May 8th recall primary ballot.

Attorney Jeremy Levinson filed a complaint with the GAB on behalf of six Wisconsin voters, arguing the "fake democrats" shouldn't be allowed on the ballot because they openly lied on their candidate registration and nomination forms.

But the GAB took the recommendation of staff, ruling they have no legal authority to take such an action based on whether someone is a Democrat or a Republican, only that they meet the qualifications to be a candidate, which all of the protest candidates did.

Levinson said he will now check with his clients about filing a challenge in Dane County Circuit Court, with the goal of getting an injunction to keep the "fake democrats" off the ballot.

Joe Olson, an attorney for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, told 27 News that he believes the first amendment would prohibit a judge from keeping a qualified candidate off the ballot.

Republicans say the goal with the protest candidates was to ensure there is a primary in all the races so the general elections will be on the same date.

The recalls target Republican Gov. Scott Walker, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and three incumbent senators. A fourth Senate seat is open after Sen. Pam Galloway (R-Wausau) resigned last month.

The primary is set for May 8, with the general election to be held June 5.

Capitol Bureau Chief Greg Neumann is at Tuesday's hearing and will have a full recap of the day's events on 27 News at 5 and 6.

MADISON (WKOW) -- Wisconsin's elections board voted unanimously to allow six Republicans running as Democrats to appear on the ballot in upcoming recall elections.

The state Government Accountability Board voted Tuesday morning to allow the candidates to run because state law doesn't require people to prove they belong to any political party before they can run for office.

Democrats argued saying the candidates falsely represented themselves and therefore filed fraudulent paperwork.

Republicans say the goal was to ensure there is a primary in all the races so the general election will be on the same date.

The recalls target Republican Gov. Scott Walker, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and three incumbent senators. A fourth Senate seat is open after Sen. Pam Galloway (R-Wausau) resigned last month.

The primary is set for May 8, with the general election to be held June 5.

Capitol Bureau Chief Greg Neumann is at Tuesday's hearing and will have a full recap of the day's events on 27 News at 5 and 6.

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MADISON (WKOW) -- On Tuesday, the state elections board will certify who's going to be on the recall ballots, and they'll likely include the so-called fake Democrats.

Government Accountability Board staff members recommend the six Republicans running as Democrats be allowed to stay on the ballot. Tuesday, six judges who sit on the board will vote on the issue.

Republicans say they're running the candidates as a protest to the recalls, and as a way to ensure a primary so Republicans have more time to campaign.

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MADISON (WKOW) -- The candidates in this spring's recall election are set to be finalized.

The Government Accountability Board is scheduled to certify ballot line-ups on Tuesday. The board also is expected to take up a complaint that some Republicans committed election fraud by running as phony Democrats to force primaries.

As payback for passing a law that eliminated public workers' union rights, Democrats have forced Gov. Scott Walker and five other Republicans into recalls. The primary election is set for May 8, with the general election on June 5.

Six Republicans are running as Democrats to force a primary in every race. The move ensures no GOP incumbent would face a general election that day, when Democratic voters will be out in masse to select their gubernatorial challenger.