IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
AN ORDINANCE establishing financial accountability for elected officials who reject or obstruct certified recall petitions, requiring reimbursement of special election costs if a court determines improper denial of voter certified recall efforts.
Intro
ORDINANCE NO. 5997, July 18, 2025
INTRODUCED BY Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS the Jackson County Legislature recognizes the fundamental right of voters to hold elected officials accountable through the recall process as provided under Missouri law and the Jackson County Charter; and,
WHEREAS protecting the integrity of citizen-led recall efforts is vital to ensuring public trust in local governance; and,
WHEREAS the denial or obstruction of certified recall petitions without legal justification imposes unnecessary costs on taxpayers through prolonged litigation and additional election; and,
BE IT ORDAINED by the Jackson County Legislature; now therefore,
SECTION 1. Title.
This Ordinance shall be known as the "Taxpayer Protection in Recall Elections Ordinance."
SECTION 2. Purpose.
The purpose of this ordinance is to safeguard the integrity of Jackson County's recall process and ensure that any elected official who improperly rejects or obstructs a certified recall petition is personally responsible for the financial costs associated with subsequent elections resulting from such denial.
SECTION 3. Definitions.
* Certified Recall Petition means a petition that has met all legal requirements, including signature verification by the appropriate election authority or relevant county office.
* Improper Denial or Obstruction means a refusal by an elected official or governing body to recognize a certified recall petition without valid legal cause, as determined by a final ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction.
* Election Costs include but are not limited to the expenses incurred by the County in holding any specified e...
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