The Jackson County and Kansas City, Missouri, election boards filed a lawsuit Thursday to stop a special Aug. 26 election on the recall of Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr.

The Jackson County Election Board and Kansas City Election Board are seeking a court order to delay a planned Aug. 26 recall election for Frank White.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a bill Wednesday that prohibits foreign money from funding ballot issue campaigns, making it the ninth state to enact such legislation.

According to Missouri law, candidates are not allowed to participate in verifying their own elections. But officials say Haggard showed up anyway. She was reportedly removed from the Vernon County courthouse during certification, and the Secretary of State’s office referred the case for prosecution.

The governor appointed Jim Martin of Perryville and former Springfield mayor Ken McClure to the Missouri Ethics Commission, giving the panel enough members to be able to meet for the first time since November.

Uncertainty looms on the likelihood of an August election to decide recall of Jackson County executive Frank White Jr.

The appointments came just days after a report became public criticizing vacancies on the commission, which left the panel unable to conduct investigations, issue fines or hold meetings.

The Jackson County Legislature had initially passed the ordinance for a special election by a 6-3 vote. Assessor Gail McCann Beatty, who was appointed by White, has been the subject of controversy the last two years since the 2023 property tax assessments.