Scott Walker Recall Election Puts Wisconsin, Its Governor In Spotlight

MADISON, Wis. — Wis. Gov. Scott Walker is only the third governor in U.S. history to face a recall vote.

The effort to remove him from office began last year, when the Republican governor released a plan that called on public workers to give up nearly all of their collective bargaining rights in an effort to control the state budget. Protests as large as 100,000 swelled at the state Capitol, but despite the outcry, the bill was signed into law.

Since then, Walker has remained a rising national star while fighting the recall campaign at home. If he prevails in the recall, he will retain his seat until 2014. If he loses, he will be required to quickly leave office.

Keep up with our coverage of the recall election on our Wisconsin live blog: