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Gerald Byers recall, Hoonah, Alaska (2022-2023)
| Gerald Byers recall |
|---|
 |
| Officeholders |
| Recall status |
| Recall election date |
| January 31, 2023 |
| Signature requirement |
| See also |
| Recall overview Political recall efforts, 2023 Recalls in Alaska Alaska recall laws Mayoral recalls Recall reports |
An effort in Hoonah, Alaska, to recall Mayor Gerald Byers was initiated by Hoonah resident Elijah Sheakley in September 2022. Two of the four stated grounds for recall were approved to have petitions circulated for signatures.[1] Petitioners submitted enough signatures to put the recall on the ballot. The recall election took place on January 31, 2023, and Byers retained his seat as a result of the vote.
A previous petition filed in August 2022 by a different group was rejected by the city clerk.[2]
Recall vote
Gerald Byers recall, 2023
Gerald Byers won the Mayor of Hoonah recall election on January 31, 2023.
Recall Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
Yes |
38.3
|
111 | |||
| ✔ | No |
61.7
|
179 | ||
Total Votes |
290 | ||||
|
|
Grounds for recall
Hoonah City Clerk Jennifer Bidiman approved the first two grounds for recall while rejecting the last two grounds. Below is Bidiman's decision on each ground:[1]
- Ground 1: Mayor Byers' use of a racial slur at his employee may constitute misconduct in office, incompetence, or failure to perform prescribed duties. It is therefore a sufficient ground for recall.
- Ground 2: Mayor Byers' behavior toward the elders at and after the meeting may constitute misconduct in office, incompetence, or failure to perform prescribed duties. It is therefore a sufficient ground for recall.
- Ground 3: Mayor Byers' decision to impound a vehicle is within his discretion, and does not constitute a violation of municipal, state or federal laws as stated. Therefore, it is not a sufficient ground for recall.
- Ground 4: Mayor Byers using his position to influence the rental of the Hoonah Presbyterian Church's parking lot to Icy Strait Point is within his discretion. It does not constitute a violation of municipal, state or federal laws as stated. Therefore, it is not a sufficient ground for recall.
Path to the ballot
- See also: Laws governing recall in Alaska
An application for a recall petition against a local official must contain the signatures of at least 10 municipal voters, the contact information of recall organizers, and a statement of the grounds for recall. Petitions are approved for circulation if the municipal clerk determines that an application has met statutory requirements. Recall organizers have 60 days from the day petitions are approved to gather signatures equal to 25% of the number of votes cast for the office in the previous general election.
See also
- Recall campaigns in Alaska
- Political recall efforts, 2023
- Political recall efforts, 2022
- Mayoral recalls
External links
Footnotes
