Organizers say they have double the signatures necessary for a Jeffco school board recall

GOLDEN —  Jefferson County residents want an electoral do-over in November, supporters of an effort to recall three school board members in suburban Denver said today when they turned in double the necessary signatures to put the issue in front of voters.

In the 17 days since the recall effort was launched, more than 37,000 Jefferson County residents signed the petitions to seek a recall of school board members Ken Witt, Julie Williams, and John Newkirk, organizers with Jeffco United For Action said outside the county clerk and recorder’s office.

Organizers had 60 days to collect just 15,000 signatures per board member.

“The message is clear, the people of Jefferson County want to hold this board majority accountable and demand a recall vote on November 3,” said Tina Gurdikian, one of the Jeffco United’s leaders.

The county clerk now has 15 days to validate those signatures. There will be another 15-day period for any resident to challenge the signatures. At that point the clerk may set a date for the recall election.

State law leaves some room for ambiguity when it comes to putting voter initiatives on the ballot. But advocates of the recall believe they’ve hit the sweet spot on a complicated timeline in order to put the decision before voters in November.

PREVIOUSLY: Why the Jeffco recall effort matters to a classroom near you

“As parents, as a community, we did everything we could to put his on the November ballot,” said organizer Wendy McCord. “Now it’s up to our opponents to respect the voters and put this on the November ballot.”

If the recall is not placed on the general ballot, then Jeffco Public Schools will have to pick up the costly six-figure tab for a special election.

Jeffco school board president Witt, who is being targeted for recall, said he welcomes the opportunity to have a dialogue with the public about his track record. But he declined to discuss whether he had any plans to counter the recall effort with a campaign of his own.

“I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished,” he said. “We heard loudly from voters that they want a focus on academic achievement, an expansion of choice, and ensuring we have accountability. I intend to remain focused on those goals. I am committed to ensuring Jeffco students get the great education they deserve.”