KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A group of four citizens from Jackson County is seeking to prevent the consolidation of two lawsuits linked to the recall election of County Executive Frank White Jr. The move comes in response to a recent joint filing by the Jackson County and Kansas City Election Boards, which are advocating for the merging of their cases related to the impending election.
Phil LeVota, the attorney representing the citizens, submitted this request amid a disagreement over the timing of the recall election. The citizens are pushing for the election to be held on August 26, while the election boards propose postponing it until November.
In the motion, LeVota argued that the cases involve fundamentally different legal issues, which could complicate and delay the resolution of their time-sensitive matter. He expressed concerns that consolidation would risk prejudicing the citizens, who initiated their own legal action to ensure a prompt electoral process.
Additionally, the citizens have moved to dismiss County Executive White, the Jackson County Legislature, and the Jackson County Clerk from the case, seeking to streamline the legal proceedings. The election process in Jackson County involves both the Kansas City Election Board, responsible for parts of the city, and the Jackson County Election Board, which oversees elections in other municipalities throughout the county.
The county’s Charter outlines a critical 60-day timeline for election-related deadlines. A 2023 ordinance, approved by the legislature, also specifies that if a legal election date cannot be set within this period, the election will occur as soon as possible after the petition is certified.
LeVota reiterated that it is unfair for the election boards to attempt to combine their case with the citizens’ case, arguing that the stark differences in fact and law could lead to unnecessary complications. The ongoing legal dispute underscores the urgency of the situation, particularly as deadlines approach.
The election board’s case is set to return to court on Friday, while the citizens’ arguments will be heard the following week, on August 1. Both parties are eager for clarity as the recall election draws near.
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