Registered voters in McCool reminded of deadline to return special election ballots

YORK COUNTY – The registered voters in McCool Junction have been sent ballots, in the mail, for a special election pertaining to a proposed recall of a village board member.

​York County Clerk Mary Melby says they were mailed out Jan. 21, so they should be in the hands of voters.
They are reminded their ballots have to be returned to the county clerk’s office by 5 p.m., on Tuesday, Feb. 11, in order to be counted.
This effort began in late September when Larry Blum from McCool Junction filed to circulate a petition asking to recall Patricia Wagner, who is in the middle of her four-year term on the McCool Village Board.
His statement, regarding his reason for seeking the recall, says, “Violations of Open Meetings Law. Talks abusively to people. Abusive to employees. Telling people from outside businesses that they are not allowed to talk to Village Clerk and other Village Board Members.”
Wagner’s official response statement says, “To my knowledge I have followed the open meeting laws. I have never spoken abusively to any employee or member of the public, nor have I directed anyone to not speak to the village clerk or any board members, and request proof of all allegations.”
Blum had to turn in at least 42 valid signatures (those of registered voters residing in the village  limits of McCool Junction) in order for the special recall election to take place. The number, Melby explained, is derived from state law calculations, which say in order for a recall election to take place, the number of signatures on the petition must equal 35% of the most votes cast in the last election (2022) regarding the village board election in which Wagner was elected.
The minimum figure of valid signatures was achieved.
McCool registered voters can mail back their ballots or return them in person, to the county clerk’s office.
The ballots will be counted after the deadline arrives.