Effort to Recall El Paso County Sheriff Moves Forward

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A group seeking to recall embattled El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa received approval from the Clerk and Recorder’s office to begin collecting signatures.  KRCC’s Andrea Chalfin has more.

A resubmitted petition from the group was accepted after an initial effort was rejected on the grounds that it didn’t meet legal standards.  According to the Clerk’s office, backers need to gather more than 44,000 signatures to recall Sheriff Maketa in November. 

"If the recall is successful, it'll go on the ballot that's already being paid for," said Randy Stagner at a rally Thursday in front of the Sheriff's Department.  Stagner is working on the recall effort.  "He can be removed before the end of his term."

Backers of Maketa call the recent allegations of misconduct a witch-hunt and are asking for patience while investigations continue.

Maketa has said repeatedly he will not resign before the end of his term, which ends in January.