WAUKESHA, Wis (WSAU) A judge in Waukesha County has ruled that the Government Accountability Board needs to actively remove fake or duplicate signatures from recall petitions. It's a victory for recall opponents. Until now the GAB said it would only act if specific names were challenged.

Judge Mac Davis ruled Thursday that the GAB needs to strengthen the process where signatures are confirmed. The ruling covers obviously fake names like 'Mickey Mouse' or 'Bugs Bunny'. The ruling also said the GAB needs to do more to eliminate duplicate and illegible signatures.

Earlier the GAB said it didn't have a good way to keep people from signing recall petitions more than once, and the duplicate names would have to be specifically challenged before they'd investigate.

The ruling is already being appealed, and will likely be decided by the state supreme court. The deadline for turning in signatures is January 17th.