Recall Election To Be Held April 14

Gov. Rick Perry approved a recall election against the mayor and two city representatives who reversed a voter-approved city ordinance that took away the benefits of the gay and unmarried partners of city employees.

According to the proclamation issued by Perry on Monday, the El Paso County Elections administrator had advised the city that the county would not be able to provide election services for the recall election during the May 12, 2012 election. The city was also advised that it would have to purchase or lease accessible voting equipment, which the city manager has estimated would cost $800,000.

However, the petition says, the county can only provide the election services by contract on the “non-uniform date of Saturday, April 14, 2011.” The governor said the law is intended to serve the interest of voters by limiting the consolidation of elections.

The special circumstances as expressed by the City and county, the proclamation states, suggest that the interests of voters would be better served by permitting an earlier election — April 14.