Thursday, 5 p.m.– that is the deadline to collect the 335,000 signatures needed to recall the self-proclaimed “toughest sheriff in America.”
The drive to recall Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio got a shot in the arm last week when a federal judge ruled Arpaio had used racial profiling, but the extra exposure may still not be enough to trigger a special election. Recall supporters are ramping up their efforts as time runs out.
At the most recent count, the effort was more than 60,000 signatures short. That fact played a central role in protests outside Arpaio’s office in downtown Phoenix Tuesday. Bishop Jeffrey Ellis Metcalfe was one of several speakers who tried to inspire the small but vocal crowd.
“Arizona needs to stand up, and stand up for what is right, get off your couches, get away from your TVs, and come out and be supportive of getting rid of a sheriff that has broken the law,” Metcalfe said.
If Arpaio is recalled, a special election to fill his seat would be scheduled for spring or summer of 2014.