The McKinney Recall campaign submitted a petition to the City Secretary’s office on Sept. 25 that includes roughly 7,400 signatures on 540 pages. The petition seeks the removal of Mayor Bill Cox and City Council members Justin Beller, Geré Feltus and Ernest Lynch.
What happens next?
Aschelle Morgan, senior executive communications and public affairs manager for McKinney, said the City Secretary’s office will now verify each signature to ensure it meets the requirements of the McKinney City Charter and Texas state law. “We are looking to complete that review accurately within a reasonable timeframe,” Morgan wrote.
Once the verification is finished, the city will report its findings to the City Council. If the petition satisfies the charter’s threshold—at least 5,805 qualified voters, which equals 30% of the votes cast in the last municipal election—the secretary will notify the targeted officials within five days or at the next council meeting. Should any of the officials choose not to resign within five days of notification, the council will be required to schedule a citywide recall election.
Background on the recall effort
Five McKinney voters filed a recall affidavit on Aug. 11, alleging a loss of public confidence in the ability of the named officers to faithfully represent the city’s citizens. The affidavit serves as the legal basis for the petition.
McKinney previously dealt with a recall process in 2019, during which the city reviewed more than 3,300 signatures in about two weeks. Morgan noted that the time needed for the current petition will depend on the volume of signatures and the work required to verify them.
Signature requirements and charter rules
Under the city charter, a recall petition must be signed by a minimum of 5,805 qualified voters residing in McKinney. This figure represents 30% of the total votes cast in the city’s most recent regular municipal election. The charter also outlines the timeline for notifying officials and the subsequent steps if they do not step down.
The recall petition’s submission marks the first formal step in a process that could lead to a citywide election, giving McKinney voters a direct voice in determining whether their elected leaders remain in office.
Original reporting: Community Impact — McKinney — read the source article.
