An effort is underway to force a recall vote he recall on Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch who recently returned to work after serving a 90-day suspension imposed by Gov. Kemp. Couch was arrested on a DUI charge earlier this year and is awaiting trial on that and other related charges.
Those behind the recall effort have filed a registration application with the county elections office. The petitioners must collect the signatures of 30% of the county’s registered voters – there are 151,643 of them – to force a recall vote.
And the basis for recall effort? The sheriff:
*Has committed an act or acts of malfeasance while in office
*Has violated his oath of office
*Has committed an act of misconduct in office
*Is guilty of a failure to perform duties prescribed by law
Here’s more on what Georgia law says about recall elections:
4. Circulation and Verification
- Petition must be circulated within 90 days after registration Ballotpedia.
- Signatures are collected and verified by the election superintendent; invalid signatures (e.g., from ineligible persons) are removed【O.C.G.A. 21-4-10】.
- The election superintendent determines legal sufficiency within 30 days of filing【O.C.G.A. 21-4-11】.
5. Election Procedures
- If the petition is valid, a recall election is held per O.C.G.A. 21-4-13.
- A majority of votes cast is required to remove the official【O.C.G.A. 21-4-13】.
- If the official is removed, a special election is held to fill the vacancy【O.C.G.A. 21-4-13】.
6. Restrictions
- No subsequent recall petition can be filed for the same official within a set period after a recall election【O.C.G.A. 21-4-14】.
- Campaign and financial disclosure rules apply【O.C.G.A. 21-4-16】.