Hatcher recall makes the ballot
By Terry Murry on Friday, May 7th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PROSSER – The Benton County Auditor’s Office has checked the signatures in an effort to recall Sheriff Jerry Hatcher, and determined that enough are valid to place the issue on the ballot for the Aug. 3 primary election.
The office validated 14,215 signatures. The group seeking Hatcher’s recall only needed 13,937 signatures to ensure the issue is placed on the ballot. The requirement is that more than 25 percent of the total number of voters in the previous election for sheriff had to sign the petition.
The sheriff is allowed to submit a response to the auditor of no more than 250 words in length. It must be submitted within seven days from Thursday, when the validation was announced.
Hatcher has denied accusations that he illegally appropriated ammunition belonging to Benton County and that he tampered with physical evidence by then directing distribution of the 14 cases of ammo.
