For Immediate Release
Monday, September 29, 2025
Contact:
media@jacksongov.org
Jackson County Executive files appeal seeking order to stop recall election
Kansas City, MO—Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. today announced that on Friday he filed an appeal with the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, seeking an order to stop the recall election scheduled for September 30, 2025.
“This is about ensuring the law is followed and protecting the public’s confidence in our elections,” said White. “Taxpayer dollars and voters’ time should never be wasted on an election held on a date that is not authorized by Missouri law.”
The Jackson County Legislature adopted an ordinance in 2023 requiring recall elections to be scheduled on the next lawful election date. Instead of following that ordinance, legislators chose a date outside the state’s election calendar, creating the current conflict.
Missouri appellate courts have already addressed this exact problem. In State ex rel. Mink v. Wallace, the court unanimously ruled that holding an election on a date not authorized by statute was unlawful, warning that doing so would leave “a serious legal cloud” over the results. That principle is exactly what both the Kansas City and Jackson County Boards of Election Commissioners — bipartisan bodies representing both political parties — have argued for weeks: this recall must occur only on a lawful election date. And Jackson County’s own 2023 ordinance confirms the same, requiring recall elections to be set on the next lawful election date under Missouri law.
White noted that he, along with both election boards, urged the Circuit Court weeks ago to finalize its ruling so the issue could be appealed through normal channels rather than at the last minute. “Had the court acted then, we would not be forced to request emergency relief on the eve of an election,” White said.
“The Court of Appeals now has the opportunity to provide clarity and direction,” White continued. “Our goal is simple: make sure this recall is handled in a way that is lawful, fair, and worthy of the trust that voters place in their government.”
Attached documents
Statement in Support of First Amended Petition for Mandamus_Prohibition (Final).pdf
State ex rel Mink v Wallace (3).pdf
Reply Brief of the Election Boards (2) (1).pdf
County Legislature Approved Recall Procedure (2023) Ord. 5782.pdf