Resist Polis PAC – Mesa County began taking steps to remove Governor Jared Polis from office. Their first step is to gain enough petition signatures to get the matter added to the next ballot. The first of several planned petition signing events took place on Thursday in the old Albertson’s parking lot on 12th Street.
According to Greg Merschel, director of Mesa County for Resist Polis PAC – Mesa County, there are several reasons to recall Polis. Merschel said a major reason was Polis’ rejection of Colorado voters’ will when Proposition 112 was defeated during the last election. Polis signed SB19-181 into law, overriding the election results and imposing restrictions on the oil and gas industry.
Other reasons listed for the recall are Polis signing the National Popular Vote compact, the “Red Flag” bill and a bill mandating a change to sexual education into law. Merschel cited Polis’ current efforts to reverse Tabor as another reason for the recall effort.
“We just received the petitions last night. In the first hour and a half we did 500 people,” Merschel said.
According to Merschel, his group needs 30,000 signatures in Mesa County and 630,000 signatures statewide to get the recall effort added to the ballot. However, he said they are trying to gain 40,000 signatures in Mesa County and over 900,000 signatures in Colorado to accommodate signatures the secretary of state may throw out.
“Typically, the secretary of state throws out at least 10 percent,” Merschel said.
Mesa County residents that missed the signing event on Thursday will have other opportunities to sign the petition. Merschel said, “we will have multiple signing events. Our next one is at Lakeside Apartments […] in the rec center, Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon ’til 5 p.m.”
Resist Polis PAC – Mesa County also plans to have signing events at the Starvin’ Arvin’s in Clifton and Fruita and other places. Some individuals picked up petition packets to go to their places of work, their churches, and they’re going to go door to door to get these signed.
Those wishing to know more about the recall effort can go to the website: recallpolis.com or Facebook: Resist Polis PAC – Mesa County.
