Tiverton Councilors: Don't Vote In Recall Election

TIVERTON, RI — Ahead of Oct. 10's special recall election, Tiverton's Town Council president and vice president are asking voters to stay home, saying it would set "a dangerous precedent" for the town should it succeed. As such, President Robert Coulter and Vice President Justin Katz are asking voters not to take part.

"This recall thing is just plain wrong, and nobody should vote in it," Katz said in a statement. "If you support Robert Coulter and me, don’t vote this time. If you don’t want recalls to become the new normal for Tiverton politics, don’t participate. If you aren’t sure, sit this one out. Wait until Tuesday, November 3, 2020."

The recall petitions were filed by William McLaughlin in April, reading in part:

"Council Coulter has knowing and willfully failed to follow the will of the people in Tiverton in making decisions, has lied to and mislead the voters on issues before the council and is violating the First Amendment right of every citizen in Tiverton by preventing them from free speech to redress grievances with the Town Government."

The petition for Katz's recall contains the same statement.

Katz said that the recall itself is founded in "so many false statements that voters can hardly know what it’s supposed to be about anymore," saying that the council has pushed to be as open and transparent as possible in handling Town Council matters. While some voters have been pushing for the recall, Katz said he and the Council have been "busy doing our jobs," working to negotiate contracts for the town and developing a long-term financial plan for the town's pension system with Coulter, among other projects.

"We’re in the middle of these projects and more, and it isn’t right to turn the table over just because the town charter makes it possible," Katz said. "We should be judged when our full term is up at next year’s election: on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. For years, people have complained about the viciousness of Tiverton politics. Well, if this recall isn’t a dud, we’ll be at a whole new level, with fewer people willing to get involved and those who do constantly at each other’s throats."

Katz continued that because Town Council terms are only two years, recalls should be reserved for "serious offenses."

Rather than vote in their favor, Katz and Coulter are asking voters to abstain.

"For the recall to count, a certain number of people have to vote, but both sides count toward that total," the pair said on their "Reject the Recall" website. "Not voting also sends the message that this election abuses the recall power."