By Katie Knapp Schubert
Omaha, NE – The Douglas County Election Commission verified 28,720 recall petition signatures, setting up a possible recall election in January.
The Mayor Suttle Recall Committee turned in more than 37,000 signatures November 19th. During a news conference Saturday, Election Commissioner Dave Phipps announced that 25 percent of the recall petition signatures were thrown out.
The manner in which those signatures were collected was disputed earlier this week in Douglas County District Court. Judge Peter Bataillon denied a request by Mayor Jim Suttle for a temporary restraining order while alleged fraud and misrepresentation are investigated.
Phipps says a certified letter will be sent next week to Mayor Jim Suttle and the Omaha City Council, notifying them of the need for a recall election. It'll be up to the Council to set an election within 30 to 45 days.