All three members of the Morrow County Board of Commissioners are going to be in a special election in July to decide whether to recall them or keep them in office.
Bobbi Childers, Morrow County clerk, validated signatures on each of the three recall petitions. Each petition needed at least 613 valid signatures to move forward in the recall process, which was spurred by the ongoing conflict over the county’s ambulance provider as well as the circuit courthouse selection process, among other concerns.
For the petition against David Sykes, the clerk’s office accepted 668 signatures out of 723. The petition against Roy Drago Jr. had 669 valid signatures of 727, and the one against Jeff Wenholz had 686 of 743 accepted.
The three commissioners now can either resign or submit a 200-word justification that will go next to their names on a recall ballot.
All three have chosen to stay the course and face the decision at the ballots. They have until the end of the day Monday, June 17, to send in their statement.
The recall election has to be within 35 days after June 17. Childers confirmed it will be July 22. The county will mail ballots to residents July 2.
The outcome of the recall is official after Childers certifies the results, which is a 21-day process, just like any other election in Oregon.
“If the recall happens, they are still public officers until the results are certified,” Childers said, then the positions would be vacant.
Filling the seat(s)
If voters recall more than one commissioner, Childers said, there will not be a quorum to make decisions, which requires two of three commissioners. That would mean Gov. Tina Kotek would appoint a replacement to the county board.
However, Childers added, if only one commissioner loses his set, the other two would select the successor.
And if voters decide not to recall any of the commissioners, they carry on in their roles and cannot face another recall during their terms in office unless the petitioner pays for.
“And that’s probably not going to happen,” Childers said.
A second recall within the same term, even if it’s for an entirely different reason, will cost the petitioner the total cost to the county of the first recall process and is required as a deposit at the start of the process.
Drago still on November ballot
The recall process has no bearing on Drago’s run for reelection. He was second of four during the primary election in May, making him one of two contenders during the general election.
“Even if he does get recalled, he’s still on the ballot for November and that would not affect that because it’s a new term,” Childers said.
Drago’s opponent in the general election to the board of commissioners is Gus Peterson, both hoping to represent Morrow County in the term starting January 2025.
