Oakland County Commission Chairman Dave Woodward has appealed an attempt to recall him in a November election
Recall petition language was approved late last month for the group I Am Oakland County over Woodward’s handling of a commission vote earlier in the month to get a fleet of drones for the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. County Clerk Lisa Brown, Chief Probate Judge Jennifer Callaghan and County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg, who sit on the Oakland County Election Commission, voted unanimously to approve two of three petitions submitted by the group on the basis that the language was clear and factual enough for average voters to understand.
According to records, Woodward filed an appeal against the election commission Wednesday in Oakland County Circuit Court. A court hearing was not listed Wednesday afternoon.
In a statement to The Detroit News, Woodward said the language is “obviously not factual and clear.” His attorney Mark Brewer argued at the April 27 hearing that the petition language said Woodward voted for a “miscellaneous” resolution, which would keep a voter from looking it up because of an inaccurate title.
“My supporters, the Democratic Party and I are prepared to fight vigorously against this nonsense and focus on what’s important: helping Democrats win in November up and down the ballot,” said Woodward.
“Meanwhile, I’m focused on doing the things voters expect me to do, and that is lowering costs and raising wages for working families, protecting the most vulnerable among us and making sure our communities are healthy and safe.”
I Am Oakland County organizer Mike Flores said Woodward’s appeal is unsurprising.
“We are disappointed Woodward is continuing to prevent the will of the people,” said Flores. “I Am Oakland County is committed to continuing with this community-led effort.”
If a circuit judge doesn’t side with Woodward, I Am Oakland County will have 60 days to collect voters’ signatures that are representative of 25% of votes cast in Woodward’s district for all gubernatorial candidates in 2022. Woodward would then face a recall election in November if the signatures are verified.
mbryan@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Oakland Co. Commissioner Dave Woodward appeals approval of recall petitions
Reporting by Max Bryan, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
