Dorri Partain
Dorri Partain
Managing Editor
Registered Jackson County voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, Sept. 30 to decide whether or not County Legislature Executive Frank White Jr. will remain in office.
This election date was determined following the submission of signatures collected by grassroots members of Democracy in Action to the Jackson County Election Board (JCEB) on June 30, which verified 43,011 of this petition’s signatures were registered Jackson County voters. This initiative required 42,902 signatures, which was determined as 20% of total votes counted for the office of county executive during the 2022 election as per the County Charter.
According to its website (www.diakc.org), Democracy in Action — a nationwide nonprofit organization focused on educating and empowering communities to participate in the political process — sought this recall for White for the following reasons:
“Frank White, Jr. is ultimately responsible for overseeing the performance of the Assessment Department and the Director of Assessment. The County Executive has the authority to correct errors in assessment and tax records, appoint department directors and coordinate and supervise the work of departments, officers and agencies under their control. [This information was copied from Case NO. 2316-CV24947].
This recall is about restoring trust in leadership and ensuring our community has a voice in choosing a more effective representative.”
As County Executive, White had the opportunity to veto the first election date — Aug. 26 — selected by members of the County Legislature.
On Aug. 4, White stated, “This [recall election] is a distraction from the work we should be doing. But I won’t be deterred. I was elected to serve the people of Jackson County and I will continue to stand up for them, no matter how hard others try to silence that work.”
Sample ballot language for Question #1 states:
“Shall Frank White, Jr. be recalled from the office of County Executive in Jackson County, Missouri?”
Question #1 is the only issue to be voted on during this Special Election.
The Kansas City Election Board (KCEB) began Absentee Voting With Excuse on Tuesday, Aug. 19 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at the election board office, 4407 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., and will continue through Monday, Sept. 15.
No Excuse Absentee Voting will begin Tuesday, Sept. 16 at the KCEB office, and continue through Monday, Sept. 29. Satellite locations closest to the Northeast include Garrison Community Center (1124 E. Fifth St.) and Palestine Senior Center (3325 Prospect Ave.) Ballot marking devices and staff will be available at both locations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27.
In a press release dated Aug. 18, KCEB announced that due to a shortened election cycle, fewer polling places will be open on election day. Notifications to registered voters will be mailed out one week prior to the election and include poll locations specific to the voter’s ward and precinct. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 30.
The registration to vote deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 3, at the KCEB office. For additional questions regarding this Special Election, visit kceb.org.
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