PMC Recall Election Set for February 7, 2012

The recall election for Prowers Medical Center Board of Director members, Candy Ruedeman and Marge Campbell has been set for February 7, 2012. Members of the board approved a resolution to set a recall date during a special board meeting, Wednesday, December 21.

This will be a mail-in ballot election which consists of two basic questions. The ballot asks for a yes or no vote on the separate recall petitions for Ruedeman and Campbell. If a majority vote is in favor of a recall for either board member, a vote on a successor for their position is also on the ballot. Those candidates will be named and must be pre-approved by the Designated Election Official from the Prowers County Hospital District. A qualified individual may submit their own name as a successor to be placed on the ballot. In order for a vote for a successor to be counted, either a yes or no vote for Ruedemen and/or Campbell must also be checked on the ballot. A vote for a successor only, will invalidate that ballot. Either one or two successor candidates with the most votes of those named will be selected to be board members for Prowers Medical Center. Eligible electors of the Prowers County Hospital District interested in serving on the Board of Directors may obtain a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form from the District Designated Election Official through the office of Scranton Specht and Associates in Lamar at 719-336-6887 at 1204 East Olive Street. The deadline to submit an application form is Monday, January 2, 2012 by the close of the business day. Affidavit of Intent to be a Write-In Candidate forms must be submitted to Thursday, January 18, 2012.

The recall election will have several possible outcomes. Either both board members are recalled by majority vote, neither would be recalled from lack of a majority vote, or one may remain on the board, but one will be recalled.

The ballots will be familiar to those who voted in the local November election by mail-in ballot and similar in format. According to the Prowers County Clerk and Recorder, there are 6,933 registered voters in the hospital district eligible to cast their ballots, although those numbers may show a minor fluctuation with additional voter registrations. The Prowers County Clerk and Recorder will not be involved in the ballot tabulation. The Designated Election Official will handle the count and validation of each ballot. There was discussion during the Wednesday board meeting as to whether neutral parties could conduct the count, or if representatives from Ruedeman and Campbell and the other board members could be present. Although they would be present to verify the number of ballots cast and the validation of the ballots submitted, neither of those parties would know how the voters cast their ballots. Once approved, the ballots are expected to be sent to registered voters in early January.

Additional Links:
PMC Notice of Special Meeting for Recall Election
Ruling States Recall Petition-Election Can Proceed 
Ruling on Recall Petition Protest Expected Friday
Recall Petition Protest Set for Courthouse Hearing
More Arguments Heard on PMC Recall Petition

By Russ Baldwin