Boulder City recall petitions submitted

By Mike Trask

Wednesday, June 4, 2008 | 11:30 a.m.

Petitions aimed at recalling Boulder City Council members Travis Chandler and Linda Strickland were filed late Tuesday.

The petition to recall Chandler was submitted with 1,973 registered voters' signatures and 1,969 voters signed the petition to recall Strickland.

The petitions are expected to be examined by the Clark County Elections Board later this week.

Recall petitioners had to collect 1,085 and 1,268 signatures, respectively, to place the Strickland and Chandler recall efforts on the ballot.

The numbers are different because Strickland was elected in last year's primary election while Chandler was elected in the fall's general election, which had a higher turnout.

If the county elections board verifies that there are enough valid signatures, the petitions will be submitted to the secretary of state's office, which must deem the petitions sufficient.

A recent interpretation of election law by Secretary of State Ross Miller stated that only individuals who voted in last year's election may sign the recall petitions.

"There's so many variables," said Boulder City Clerk Pamella Malmstrom, noting it's unclear how the signature certification process will play out.

She said if the secretary of state rules that the petitions are sufficient, a recall election likely would be held in late July or early August. That election would ask voters to decide whether each of the council members should be removed from office.

If either or both are recalled, the City Council could appoint a replacement.