Recall of Seattle Councilmember Kshama Sawant qualifies for December ballot

An effort to recall Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant qualified for an election this winter, according to King County Elections.

It will be an up-or-down vote on whether Sawant should stay in office.

The recall campaign submitted petition signatures this month, needing King County Elections to validate at least 10,687 signatures from voters in District 3. That district covers Capitol Hill, First Hill, the Central District, Montlake, Madison Valley and Madison Park.

King County Elections confirmed to FOX 13 News that the petition was officially certified on Thursday.

The election will take place on Dec. 7. The measure could not be added to the General Election because ballots were already been sent to servicemembers and overseas voters.

An election must be held 45 to 90 days after a petition is certified.

RELATED: Recall effort against Seattle Council member Kshama Sawant can move forward, state Supreme Court rules

Sawant supporters have accused the recall campaign of waiting to submit its signatures in order to intentionally miss the Nov. 2 ballot, which includes the mayor’s race, among others. They say the delay is a tactic meant to dampen turnout among young voters and others likely to back Sawant. The recall campaign has denied that it desires low turnout.

The recall petition accuses Sawant of using city resources to promote a "Tax Amazon" ballot initiative and letting demonstrators into City Hall during racial justice protests last year when the building was closed to the public because of COVID-19.

"During her time in office, Councilmember Kshama Sawant has repeatedly broken the law and violated the most basic ethical rules that apply to our elected officials," said Recall Sawant Campaign Manager Henry Bridger II. "After today’s announcement, Sawant will finally have to face her own constituents and answer to her record of breaking the law and violating her oath of office. Thanks to the hard work of our volunteers and the incredible support from District 3 voters, we now have the opportunity to hold Sawant accountable."

Sawant and her supporters have described the recall effort as a conservative attempt to thwart her work for the city’s workers and renters.

Sawant was elected in 2013 and won reelection in 2015 and 2019.

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