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.

The effort to recall the county executive is raising ethics concerns, specifically among Jackson County legislators.

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.

Embattled Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. has issued another veto surrounding an ordinance passed by the Jackson County Legislature, this time aimed at amending the county charter to call for an elected assessor.

The rollback of sick leave protections is the latest example of Missouri officials relitigating and undermining policies enacted by voters through direct democracy.

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.

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.

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.