Commission approves second recall petition against Burton councilman

GENESEE CO., Mich. (WNEM) - A push to recall a mid-Michigan city councilman is a step closer to being circulated in his community, but it’s not a done deal yet.

This is the second attempt to get a recall on the ballot.

On Monday, March 27, the Genesee County Elections Commission approved a recall petition filed against Burton City Councilman Greg Hull.

It was Jeffrey Hickson’s second attempt because his first one had problems.

Related: Recall petition filed against Burton city councilman

“We look at the language and if it’s clear and factual, and notice I didn’t say true, I didn’t say a good reason. It just has to put the person who’s being recalled on notice why. And it has to give the voters the reason why the person is asking for the recall and asking them to vote. That’s all it has to do,” said Judge Jennie Barkey, Genesee County Elections Commission Chair.

After first rejecting the recall petition for Hull due to technical errors in the petition, the commission approved the recall.

Related: Commission rejects recall petition against Burton councilman because of errors

“Last time, the person had spelled Genesee wrong. They had other typographical errors, stuff like that. So it wasn’t clear. If it’s not spelled right, it can’t be clear,” Barkey said.

Hickson, the recall organizer and petitioner, filed the petition to remove Hull for misconduct in office and a guilty plea in court after Hull plead guilty to operating while impaired by liquor on Jan. 23. He was sentenced to a minimum of three days in jail and community service.

Related: Burton councilman sentenced to jail for impaired driving

“If it’s not appealed, or the appeal is denied, then the individual who is asking for the recall language has to get a certain percentage of the voters in the area where the person was elected from, have to get a certain number of their signatures for it to be placed on the ballot,” Barkey said.

Hull has 10 days to file an appeal with the Circuit Court. If the petition receives the number of signatures needed, the recall could make it on to the August or November ballot.

“I want to thank the Election Commission for approving this recall. I think my determination and consistency of holding our local elected officials accountable is paying off. Now, we roll up our sleeves and get to work,” Hickson said in a press release.

Hickson said he has a team of Burton residents that are ready to circulate petitions and recall Hull.

TV5 reached out to Hull about the decision but has not yet heard back.

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