Judge denies delay to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker in calling two special elections

A Dane County judge Tuesday denied Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s request for a delay before he has to call two court-ordered special election.

In a late night filing Monday, Walker had asked the judge to allow an extra week so the governor and GOP lawmakers could approve legislation giving him broader powers to determine when to allow voters to fill vacancies in the Legislature.

Circuit Court Judge Richard Niess turned down the request Tuesday, saying he couldn’t take into account a vote by the Legislature before it happens.

Walker and his fellow Republicans want to overturn a court order that he call special elections to fill the seats of two lawmakers who stepped down in December to join his administration.