Walker recall elections cost $13.5 million

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Gov. Scott Walker's June recall election and the primary held a month before it cost taxpayers more than $13 million.

The Government Accountability Board reported the estimated costs on Friday.

Those costs included paying poll workers, staff salaries, printing ballots and programming election equipment.

Critics of the recall frequently pointed to the cost, which they said was a waste of taxpayer money. Recall supporters say the costs were justified to hold the election that was essentially a referendum on Walker and his conservative agenda.

The GAB also reports that the regularly scheduled spring election and presidential primary in April cost $7.6 million.

The GAB says most of the costs are born by local taxpayers.