Montana: Clerk tosses out new petitions against Stevensville Mayor, who survive Election Day recall vote

Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder has rejected the new recall petitions taken out against Stevensville Mayor Brandon Dewey, who survived a recall vote in November 52-48%. The clerk claimed several deficiencies, though the clerk cited the law limiting recalls in a two year period unless petitioners pay the previous election cost. They would need to pay about $2400 for the election cost.

Dewey previously faced a recall over a contract for services with a tech provider. The claim is that the $79,800 contract wasn't approved by the City Council. There was also five petitions filed against Dewey from 2018-2019, though none met the state's malfeasance standard and all were tossed. This new one is over other spending decisions.

Dewey argued that the previous recall does not meet the state's malfeasance standard. The judge temporarily delayed the vote, leading for a vote on Election Day instead of August 4. 

Two Councilmembers resigned after the last vote.