KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Voters are bracing for a possible August vote on Democratic Jackson County Executive Frank White’s fate.
On Monday, July 7, the Jackson County, Missouri Legislature voted to put a recall of White on an August 26 ballot. However, the directors of the Jackson County Election Board have already said they’d rather this election be held in November as opposed to August. That would give them more time to prepare for it.
On the other hand, a lawsuit has already been filed by recall supporters saying that this issue should not have to go through the ordinance process, which allows White to veto it.
Jackson County recall election of Frank White could be delayed
White and County Counselor Bryan Covinsky would not do interviews with FOX4 on Thursday.
Wednesday, though, White released a statement saying they’ll fight the lawsuit in court. Tuesday, Covinsky told FOX4 on camera he did not think the election boards would have enough time to get ready for a late summer election.
“As County Executive, I take seriously my responsibility to uphold the Charter and protect the integrity of our local government,” part of White’s statement read on Wednesday.
“I look forward to presenting our case in a court of law.”
Monday, Chiefs President Mark Donovan said the organization is in active discussions with the Jackson County Legislature. He did not mention White, though. That day, he was also asked about the recall effort.
“So, we haven’t had anything to do with that, nor do we want anything to do with that,” Donovan replied.
“They have their issues they’ve got to work through. For us, it’s continuing the conversations with the people they put in front of us to have the conversations, and we’ve been able to do that and continue to do that.”
Thursday, Park University Associate Professor of Political Science Matt Harris says he thinks there will be discussions in a courtroom about when a recall election takes place.
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“A special election shall be held to consider recall of a county elected officer within sixty days after the petitions are filed,” Article 14, Section 9 of the Jackson County Charter says.
The petitions were filed Monday, June 30, so an August 26 election would fit in that time frame.
“I think there are legitimate questions about having that quick a turnaround just in terms of the process,” Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. Matt Harris said in an interview with FOX4 Thursday.
“Getting the ballots printed, making sure that the election sites are available, all this kind of stuff. There will be legal wrangling, but I don’t see how this does not happen at some point prior to the end of this year.”
White has until Thursday, July 17, to decide what he’s going to do with the recall ordinance. The legislature’s already set a meeting date of Friday, July 18, just in case they need to come in and override a White veto.
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