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Austin Knight recall, Provincetown, Massachusetts (2014)

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Provincetown Selectman recall
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Officeholders
Austin Knight
Recall status
Resigned
See also
Recall overview
Political recall efforts, 2014
Recalls in Massachusetts
Massachusetts recall laws
City council recalls
Recall reports

An effort to recall selectman Austin Knight in Provincetown, Massachusetts from his position was launched in January 2014.[1] Knight announced his resignation, effective May 5, on January 30.[2]

Recall supporter arguments

Recall proponents cite as grounds for recall a conflict of interest they allege existed between Knight and former police chief Jeff Jaran. Jaran had encouraged his officers to vote for Knight in the May 2013 election, even going so far as to attempt to distribute campaign signs at the station. The police chief was ultimately fired for this, but Knight denied knowledge of these goings-on. A later investigation found that Knight was in fact aware of Jaran's actions. Knight stepped down from his position as chairman of the board of selectmen, but refused to resign.[1]

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing recall in Massachusetts

An affidavit asking for Knight's recall was submitted on January 16, 2014. A recall petition was circulated. At least 10 percent of the town's voters needed to sign the petition in order to trigger a recall election. This amounted to 292 signatures. The petition was due on February 5, 2014.[1]

See also

Footnotes