Recall of Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia officially underway

Now the group has 20 days with the clock immediately clicking to sign-up 5 percent of the city’s 50,207 registered voters or 2,510 certified signatures.

FALL RIVER — The effort to recall Mayor Jasiel Correia II, as he faced federal wire and fraud charges, begins today after 10 petitioners successfully had their affidavit for a recall election certified by City Clerk Alison Bouchard on Monday morning.

Now the group has 20 days with the clock immediately clicking to sign-up 5 percent of the city’s 50,207 registered voters or 2,510 certified signatures.

Day 20 is Nov. 17, a Saturday, so the recallers have a few extra days to gather signatures with a deadline on Nov. 19.

In the 10 signer's affidavit in support of recalling Correia, the group cited the mayor’s federal criminal case calls into question his “credibility, integrity and competency.”

If the group is successful with gathering the needed certified signatures, Bouchard will send the information to the City Council who will request that Correia step down. If he declines within five days, the council has 65 days to schedule a recall election.

There will be two questions on the ballot whether Correia should be recalled. If Correia chooses to run in the election and if there are challengers, voters will be asked to vote for a mayor.

This story will be updated.

Email Jo C. Goode at jgoode@heraldnews.com