Jackie Thompson recall, Whitehall, Ohio, 2009

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Efforts to recall City Councilwoman Jackie Thompson was launched on August 25, 2009. The recall effort began in light of the contentious relationship between Thompson and residents, however, some argue that the recall began because of Thompson's support for legislation to ban pit bulls in the city.

Election result

aThe recall was approved. According to the ballot language, a "yes" vote is a vote to keep Thompson in office, a no vote would be a vote to remove her from office.

Jackie Thompson Recall
Result		Votes	Percentage
d No		2194	74.78%
Yes		740	25.22%
Total votes		2934	100.00%
Voter turnout		30.70%

Background

Cheryl Jo Thompson, the leader of the recall, said, "This is not about pit bulls, but about taking the city back out of the hands of Jackie Thompson." Earlier this year, C.J. Thompson began a blog which includes filmed portions of the city council's meetings "to alert all residents of (Jackie Thompson's) ridiculous and outrageous behavior." However, Councilwoman Thompson said that she isn't worried about the recall. "If the pit bull people want to try and throw me out, so be it. I will still attend council meetings, I will still advocate for government reform and to turn around our neighborhoods and protect our citizens," said Thompson.

Thompson's response

In response to the campaign to remove her from office, Thompson mailed out approximately 2,200 fliers to residents that voted absentee in the November 2008 election. The fliers, paid for by Thompson’s own money, show derogatory comments from opponents, some from blogs that have been dedicated to the recall effort and others from web forums. Thompson states on the fliers: "Are these the people you want setting the agenda for Whitehall? Vote 'Yes' to keep Thompson on council.” Thompson plans on hand-delivering extra fliers.

Path to the ballot

In order to place the recall on the November ballot, recall supporters were required to collect a minimum of 403 valid signatures.

See also

• Political recall efforts
• Political recall efforts, 2009

External links

• City of Whitehall
• Citizen Journalist CJT Whitehall, OH, blog created by C.J. Thompson