As thousands across the state travel to their polling sites for the 2024 spring election on Tuesday, some believe you should have an opportunity to vote in another before the fall.

Republicans have been critical of Rep. Mike Gallagher and his decision to leave Congress after April 19th. Wisconsin law allows a special election for congressional vacancies, but only if they occur before the second Tuesday in April. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene urged House Speaker Mike Johnson last week to expel Gallagher from Congress so that Wisconsin’s Eighth District, which includes Door and Kewaunee counties, can have a special election. Roger Roth and State Senator Andre Jacque, who are both running to replace Gallagher in Congress, expressed their disappointment in the timing of his resignation. Republican leaders in Oconto and Waupaca counties blasted Gallagher in a joint statement, demanding that he step down immediately and calling his resignation “a dereliction of duty and is a betrayal of the citizens of the 8th Congressional District.” Kewaunee County Republican Party Chairperson Kirt Johnson is disappointed in Gallagher’s decision but believes a special election would confuse voters.

Gallagher announced he would not run for re-election in February, prompting Roth and Jacque to announce their candidacies for the seat. Candidates are still lining up to replace Gallagher in Congress, with strategist Alex Bruesewitz considering a run while Democrats sort out their potential field.