COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – One of the backers of a recall drive against Branch County Prosecutor Ralph Kimble told the Branch County Board of Commissioners Tuesday that they were violating her constitutional rights.
Alexia Rish says she had to get permission to stand outside the Branch County Courthouse in a peaceful assembly to gather signatures on the recall petition. Rish said that was ludicrous because Commissioners did not have the power to say no because of the Constitution.
She also said free speech rights were denied after Commissioners did not respond to her letter asking that Kimble appear for a public hearing. Rish demanded an answer on the request.
Over 2,800 valid signatures will have to be collected from Branch County registered voters for the recall to get on the ballot.
That figure represents 25 percent of the ballots cast in Branch County during the 2014 gubernatorial election.
The Commissioners later in the meeting approved the request by Rish and husband Stephen to collect petition signatures in front of the Courthouse.
