MADISON, Wis. -- A Wisconsin appeals court refused to delay a recall election against a state senator who angered some constituents when he sided with Republicans on a vote.

The 4th District Court of Appeals rejected Democratic Sen. Gary George's request late Thursday to put off the election while he appeals an earlier ruling. George's opponents began circulating recall petitions this spring after he sided with Republicans in a vote to override the governor's veto of a bill that would have given lawmakers final say over gaming compacts the governor negotiates with American Indian tribes.

That effort failed.

The Elections Board ruled in July that George's opponents had enough valid signatures to trigger a recall election. George claims signatures were improperly collected and circulators were illegally paid.

The primary is Oct. 21, and the general election is Nov. 18.