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Richard Orndorff recall, Strasburg, Virginia (2019)
| Strasburg Mayoral recall |
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| Officeholders |
| Recall status |
| See also |
| Recall overview Political recall efforts, 2019 Recalls in Virginia Virginia recall laws Mayoral recalls Recall reports |
An effort in Strasburg, Virginia, to recall Mayor Richard Orndorff Jr. was initiated in 2019. Recall organizers submitted petition signatures on September 16, 2019.[1] The same day, an attorney representing Orndorff filed a motion to challenge the validity of the signatures that were submitted.[2]
Recall supporters
The recall effort was organized by Christie Monahan after Orndorff was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving a recreational vehicle on a public highway. Orndorff was charged with the two misdemeanors after driving a recreational vehicle into the Strasburg Town Library during the town's Mayfest celebration on May 17, 2019. Orndorff had multiple surgeries to recover from the incident. Petitions accused Orndorff of neglecting his duties as mayor during his recovery.[1]
Recall opponents
Orndorff responded to the recall effort. He said, "It’s the will of the people. I don’t feel that I am guilty of malfeasance or misfeasance."[1]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Laws governing recall in Virginia
The petition for recall must be signed by at least 10% of the number of people who voted in the last election for the office being recalled.[3] The petition must also detail the reasons for removal.[4]
After the petition has been submitted:
- The officer subject to recall will receive notice.[4]
- The officer's position may be suspended.[5]
- The attorney for the Commonwealth will represent the state.[6]
- The official subject to a recall trial has the right to demand a trial by jury.[6]
- The results of the trial may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Virginia.[6]
Petitioners needed 80 signatures to put the recall on the ballot. On September 16, 2019, 112 signatures were submitted for verification.[1]
On September 16, 2019, an attorney representing Orndorff filed a motion to challenge the validity of the signatures that were submitted. The motion argues that the petitions weren't signed under the penalty of perjury.[2]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The Northern Virginia Daily, "Petition of Removal filed against Strasburg mayor," September 18, 2019
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Northern Virginia Daily, "Lawyer disputes legality of petition signatures," September 23, 2019
- ↑ Code of Virginia, "§ 24.2-233," accessed: July 17, 2013
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Code of Virginia, "§ 24.2-235," accessed: July 17, 2013
- ↑ Code of Virginia, "§ 24.2-236," accessed: July 17, 2013
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Code of Virginia, "§ 24.2-237," accessed: July 17, 2013
