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The effort to hold a recall election of Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. on Aug. 26, 2025, is back on.
On Friday, eight members of the Jackson County Legislature voted to override a veto White made Thursday of an ordinance that set a recall election for Aug. 26.
Those legislators said the Aug. 26 date aligns with rules laid out in the county charter.
“As a matter of democratic norms and respect for our civic institutions, we recognize that an elected official attempting to veto a legitimate election, to evade accountability to the voters personally, is fundamentally wrong and a violation of the public trust,” Legislative Chairman DaRon McGee said in a statement after the vote. “We owe it to the residents of Jackson County who called for this election using the legal process laid out in our charter to respect their will, honor their effort, and let them decide this County’s future.”
Though White’s veto was overturned, the prospects of the Aug. 26 recall election still hinge on two pending civil cases up for hearings in Jackson County Circuit Court.
One case, filed last week by the Kansas City, Missouri, and Jackson County Election Boards, claimed they would not be able to meet all the legal requirements of hosting an election on Aug. 26. A judge is set to review the matter on July 25.
Another case, filed by four Jackson County voters, is urging a judge to green light the Aug. 26 election.
During Friday’s session, Legislator Megan Smith offered a new ordinance that would set the recall election for Nov. 4, 2025. Legislators did not take up the ordinance for a vote Friday.
Smith pointed to a 2023 ordinance she said supersedes the charter. Ordinance 5782 says, "If no legal election date is available within sixty days, the election will occur at the next available election after certification of the Petition."
“The voters did their job," she said. "Now we’ve got to do ours as legislators. As those who uphold the constitution and law.”
RELATED | Groups call on Jackson County Executive Frank White to resign
White was not at Friday's meeting. He issued a statement indicating he'd support a November election date for the recall.
“This ordinance is unlawful, reckless with taxpayer money and sets a dangerous precedent that would undermine trust in our elections for years to come. Our own election boards have filed a lawsuit saying they’d have to break state and federal law just to carry this out. That’s unacceptable.
“Let me be clear, I believe in the democratic process. This isn’t about denying anyone the right to vote – it’s about making sure the process is legal, fair and truly reflects the will of the people.
“The people deserve better than political games that waste millions of dollars and erode trust. There is still a lawful path forward. I urge the Legislature to do the right thing – adopt a new ordinance to move the election to November and protect the integrity of our democracy.”
Legislators overrode two additional vetoes Friday. They restored an ordinance calling for a Nov. 4, 2025, election for voters to choose whether the Jackson County Assessor should be an elected position.
They also restored an ordinance that extended the deadline for seniors to apply for a property tax freeze.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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