Mark Nelson recall, Cowlitz County, Washington (2011)

An effort to recall Mark Nelson from his position as sheriff of Cowlitz County, Washington was launched in September 2011 and halted in October 2011 when judge Stephen Warning said recall supporters lacked legal grounds to move forward with a recall effort.

Background

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union sought Nelson's recall. Union officials alleged that Nelson's officers had been too aggressive when shutting down the union's protests at the Port of Longview grain terminal.

A hearing was held on October 21st to determine if the recall effort possessed legal grounds to move forward. Laws governing recall in Washington dictate that potential recall efforts must be judged to meet state standards before proceeding. Judge Stephen Waring ruled that the union's recall petition did not meet state standards. Waring said the union didn't provide enough evidence to support their allegations against Nelson.

See also

• Recall campaigns in Washington
• Political recall efforts, 2011
• Cowlitz County, Washington ballot measures
• County official recalls