Recall Election Could Take Place May 12th, Pending Redistricting Decision

One thing is for sure: El Pasoans this spring will vote whether to oust Mayor John Cook and city representatives Steve Ortega and Susie Byrd out of office. One thing is not for sure: when this vote will take place.

The county of El Paso traditionally handles area elections, both for the state and for the city. Governor Rick Perry had allowed the city to hold the recall election on April 14th. Then, a federal court moved the Texas primaries to April 3rd.

County elections administrator Javier Chacon said he needs about a month in between elections to prepare. On top of that, the U.S. Supreme Court may change the primary date again. “There’s no indication from the court of what point they’ll rule on that or whether we can still count on and rely on April the 3rd as the date for the Texas primary,” Assistant City Attorney Elaine Hengen told City Council on Tuesday.

If the supreme court makes a decision soon and the primary is held on April 3rd, as scheduled, the recall would be bumped to May 12th. If that happens, city council would have to officially call for the election no later than February 21st.

If the supreme court doesn’t issue a ruling soon and the primary is moved later in the spring or summer, the recall can stay on April 14th. City Council would have to call for it by January 24th, though. The mayor said he wants the soonest date.

“We’re obligated by law to hold the election at the earliest possible election date and we’re committed to doing that. I’d actually like to get it done and out of the way. This is not something that I like hanging over my head,” he said during an interview on Tuesday.

City Council is slated to make a decision on the recall election date on January 24th. They’re required to give the federal government 75 days notice before an election.

Cook, Ortega and Byrd are facing a recall originated by a civic group called El Paso For Traditional Family Values, for not implementing a voter-approved ordinance meant to take away the health insurance of gay and unwed partners of city employees. The same group trying to recall the mayor also wrote the voter-approved ordinance. They allege the Mayor and city representatives disregarded the will of the people when they did not implement the ordinance. The city officials contend the vaguely worded ordinance would have also stripped away the health insurance of 200 other unintended city employees and some retirees.