York County Press Release
YORK – York County Commissioner LeRoy has submitted his formal response to a recall petition filed against him by a District 2 resident.
His response says, “My name is LeRoy Ott. I was elected as County Commissioner of District 2. I enjoy working to move York County forward, making decisions with information I’m given. If trust or confidence has been broken with some, I hope I can continue the job and restore that trust. I take seriously the job of serving all of York County.”
Ott was appointed as a commissioner to fulfill a vacancy on the board for District 2 and then was elected in the 2024 election cycle.
Julia Wellman of rural Waco filed the recall petition, with this formal statement of her reasons: “Perceived lack of trust in his ability to lead effectively.”
Upon Ott’s formal response, the petition circulation started. Wellman will need to gather 442 signatures from registered voters in that district in order for a recall election to take place. The number is calculated by state law, which says it must be 35% of the total number of votes for that particular position in the last election.
Wellman has 30 days to circulate the petition.
If the 442 number is achieved, the county clerk’s office then has 15 days to check the validity of the signatures, according to York County Clerk Mary Melby.
If the minimum number of signatures is achieved, Melby said the county board will have to pass a resolution to hold a special election. If they do not create the resolution, there are hefty penalties, according to state law, she said.
Then, if an election is held, it will be done by mail following state certification.
If an election is held, the decision regarding a recall will be based on the majority vote among registered voters in District 2.
