A recall effort against Adams Township Supervisor Mark Nichols and Clerk Stephanie Scott is moving forward.
The Hillsdale County Clerk’s office has set a recall election to be held May 2nd of next year.
Recall petition language for both officials was approved by the Hillsdale County Election Commission.
The petition state’s the reason for the recall of Nichols is because he voted against buying a new vote tabulator at a cost of $5,500.
The language to recall Scott is a quote from a letter issued by the state forbidding Scott from administering any elections.
The issue stems from Scott’s refusal to allow for maintenance work on township voting equipment, which led to an investigation and the seizure of the equipment by Michigan State Police.
Hillsdale County Chief Deputy Clerk Abe Dane said 264 valid signatures were required to initiate the recall election.
343 signatures were turned in against Supervisor Nichols–of which 316 were validated.
350 signatures were turned in against Clerk Scott–329 of those were validated.
Both Nichols and Scott have been notified of the recall.
Dane said, because neither of them withdrew they’ll both be automatically listed on the Recall Election ballot as Republicans.
Dane said The Hillsdale County Democratic Party Chair may appoint a Democratic candidate to run for each position–and any number of candidates with no party affiliation may file as well. The deadline for filing is Saturday, November 5th at 5:00 PM.
Qualified candidates can file at the Hillsdale County Clerk’s office no later than close of business on Friday, November 4th.