Washington: Judge tosses out Spokane County Commissioner recall effort

The recall effort against Spokane County Commissioner Al French (R) has been tossed out, both for happening too close to an election (the recall cannot be within six months of an election) and for failing to meet the malfeasance standard.

The recall was over claims of a coverup about PFAS (so-called "forever chemicals") contamination of the drinking water. French is currently running for his fifth term, so it the recall would have to taken place between the General Election and the next term in January or wait till the next term starts.

Washington is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state, so a judge had to sign off on the effort as meeting the statutorily delineated reasons before it can move forward. Petitioners would have needed 11,535 signatures.