KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Jackson County Legislature voted 9-0 Monday to establish a special election for voters to decide whether to recall County Executive Frank White Jr.
The special election will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025.
Legislators met Monday after the Jackson County Election Board certified that a petition submitted earlier this month exceeded enough valid signatures — 42,900 — to schedule a recall election of White.
“The people of Jackson County have spoken, and we must listen,” Chairman DaRon McGee said in a statement Monday afternoon. “Today’s action by the Legislature ensures that voters will have the opportunity to decide this matter directly, as outlined in our Charter and laws.”
McGee and other legislators spoke about their decision in a news conference Monday afternoon. You can watch in the video player below.
Before legislators voted on the special election, White issued a press release maintaining the recall petition was “political revenge” for his stance on a stadium funding package for the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs.
White said he believes the recall election date of Aug. 26 violates the county’s charter. White also cited a $2 million cost to hold the special election.
“This isn’t about one vote or one official,” White said in his statement. “It’s about whether we respect the rule of law and the taxpayers we serve. If the law doesn’t apply when it’s inconvenient, then it doesn’t really apply at all.”
Contrary to White's claim that the recall effort is a way of "punishing an elected official who stood up for taxpayers and said no to a bad deal," Chairman McGee said constituents have shared different experiences.
"This recall election has nothing to do with stadiums. It has nothing to do with the teams. It has everything to do about taxes, property taxes, both commercial and residential. I think that is at the heart of this matter," McGee said.
A handful of Frank White protesters stood outside the Jackson County Courthouse before the meeting and listened to legislators discuss the recall election.
Maris Ewing, a Jackson County resident, signed the petition. Ewing joined the recall effort during property assessment issues in 2023.
"It just blew up," Ewing said. "It was such a nightmare going through what we went through."
Protesters, including Ewing, had "recall Frank White" signs and posters that read "No Kings in KC."
"He's acting like a king," she said. "If he cared about this county, he would save us the $2 million and just step down."
Will the ordinance be challenged?
The county executive was absent from Monday's meeting.
Beyond his statement, KSHB 41's Alyssa Jackson asked Executive White's office if he plans to sign the ordinance or veto it.
We did not receive a response.
According to the county's charter, ordinances go to the county executive for approval. White has ten days to sign it.
However, if he doesn't sign the ordinance or return it to the legislature in that time frame with objections, it's approved.
Legislators argue that a veto from White would be a conflict of interest.
The legislature can override the executive's veto with a supermajority vote.
Chairman McGee said: "The charter says shall. We don't have a choice. We shall have an election."
Anticipating a veto
Jackson County legislators passed a resolution on Monday with the same language as the recall election ordinance.
It passed 5-3, with Legislator Charlie Franklin abstaining.
Legislators Jalen Anderson, Megan Smith, and Jeanie Lauer opposed the resolution.
Legislator Megan Smith mentioned it was not approved by the county's legal department.
Since the county executive has no authority over a resolution, it was created as added protection to circumvent a veto.
However, the county's legal counsel said it does not have the same power as an ordinance. Meaning, if White does veto the ordinance, a resolution can't put an election on a county ballot.
Chairman McGee disagreed, citing it as a "legal document," which should allow election authorities to move forward with preparations despite any challenges by White.
"Any litigation that comes from that is up to the election authorities," McGee said. "It’s up to Mr. White, but as far as we’re concerned, we’ve acted and will follow the law."
Legislator Sean Smith, an active supporter of the petition, wants White to step down.
While Smith doesn't expect White to veto the ordinance, he voted for the resolution just in case.
As representatives of both election authorities told KSHB 41's Alyssa Jackson last week, they can take the recall effort to court.
Since the election gives the election boards minimal time to prepare, get equipment, volunteers, and election materials, a judge would have to agree to push the election to November.
"I would hope any court would say the voters have spoken. The charter is clear. There should be an election. Now go get it done," Smith said.
In the event White vetoes, legislators scheduled a meeting for 10 a.m. July 18.
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KSHB 41 reporter Alyssa Jackson covers portions of Johnson County, including Overland Park, Prairie Village and Leawood. Share your story idea with Alyssa.
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