Eric Mikkelson recall, Prairie Village, Kansas (2023-2024)

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Eric Mikkelson recall
Officeholders
Eric Mikkelson
Recall status
Did not go to a vote
Signature requirement
40% of votes in the last general election
See also
Recall overview Political recall efforts, 2024 Recalls in Kansas Kansas recall laws Mayoral recalls Recall reports

An effort to recall Mayor Eric Mikkelson did not go to a vote in Prairie Village, Kansas. Recall organizers did not gather enough valid signatures to put the recall on the ballot.

Recall supporters

The recall petition listed the following as grounds for a recall against Mikkelson.

“

Misconduct in Office: Diverting Taxpayer Dollars for Personal Political Benefit It is illegal for Mikkelson to spend taxpayer funds against his own recall. (K.S.A. 21-6005, crime of misusing public funds; Kansas A.G. Opinion No. 93-125, public purpose doctrine prohibits spending public funds for private purposes. Mikkelson unlawfully uses taxpayer-paid political consultants against taxpayers who seek to recall him. For example: On June 7, 2023, Mikkelson used taxpayer-paid consultants for his "public response" against taxpayer recall allegations. From June through August 2023, Mikkelson used taxpayer-paid consultants to advocate against taxpayers' recall. Mikkelson violates his duty to ensure public funds are spent for public purposes when he spends them for his own personal purposes.

”

Recall opponents

Mikkelson provided KSHB 41 a statement in response to the recall.

“

The allegations in the petition are false. There was no wrongdoing, misconduct or misuse of city funds. As to the false allegations, the District Attorney stated that he “does not pass on the credibility of the allegations…[and] does not determine the truth or falsity of the allegations." In other words, any three residents can fabricate misconduct allegations to start a political recall. Beyond the personal destructive impact to me and my family, there are sad collateral impacts for all from these abusive smear tactics. They erode local democracy's ability to function, consume time and resources from our city and diminish our ability to focus on our core issues - public safety, police, streets, parks and infrastructure. These tactics discourage volunteer public service, waste taxpayer dollars, damage staff morale and divide the community. In addition, this particular petition seeks to deter your local government from communicating with its residents about city processes and policies. Effective, professional communication is another core function of good government, especially when facing disinformation. Over 94% of Prairie Village voters voted for me to serve. I will need help from courageous residents ready to stand up now against sown chaos and lies. We can have different policy opinions. This toxic character assassination, however, threatens the best part of Prairie Village, namely the friendly, mutually respectful fabric of our social and civic community.

”

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing recall in Kansas

Kansas allows the following grounds for recall: conviction of a felony, misconduct in office, or failure to perform duties prescribed by law. Sponsors of a recall against a local official must submit an application for a petition. The application must be filed with the county election officer and must list the sponsors of the recall. To get the recall on the ballot, supporters must collect signatures equal to 40% of the vote in last general election for the office. For at-large offices, the number of signatures is 40% of the votes cast in the last general election for all candidates of the office divided by the number of persons elected. Recall supporters have 90 days to circulate petitions.

In May 2024, Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe found that the recall petition had sufficient grounds to move into the signature gathering phase. Recall organizers began submitting petitions in April 2023. Eight petitions were rejected before gaining approval on the ninth attempt.

See also

• Recall campaigns in Kansas
• Political recall efforts, 2024
• Political recall efforts, 2023
• Mayoral recalls

External links

• Search Google News for this topic
• Official recall website
• Government website of Prairie Village, Kansas

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