A recall effort against Yukon, Oklahoma, Mayor Brian Pillmore is gaining steam as residents organize against potential data center development in their city.
What began as local anger over projects that residents fear could change the community has grown into a direct political challenge.
What happened?
Yukon, home to over 25,000 people, has enough verified signatures to advance the effort to recall Pillmore. A city spokesperson said 1,451 signatures were valid, according to KGOU.
At its regular meeting on Aug. 11, the Yukon City Council is set to review the certified petition and decide whether to move forward. From there, council members would have 10 days to schedule a recall election by resolution or ordinance and choose the election date.
The campaign is unfolding amid clashes in Yukon and other Oklahoma municipalities over proposed data center developments. Yukon residents packed a June council meeting over a separate Beltline Energy data center proposal, calling for Pillmore to step down.
During public comment at a city council meeting, resident Charles Scott told officials that residents oppose the centers.
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Under Yukon's charter, any qualified person, including Pillmore, can run in the recall election. Candidates must file no later than 15 days before the election, and whoever receives the most votes would win the office. Pillmore did not immediately answer a request for comment.
Data centers are often promoted as drivers of economic growth, but they can also raise concerns about land use, neighborhood character, traffic, electricity demand, and water resources. Other Oklahoma cities have paused new data center permits altogether while they study the impact.
If the city council orders a recall election after the Aug. 11 meeting, voters will decide whether Pillmore remains in office.
Scott said organizers have also started an initiative petition intended to prohibit data centers in Yukon.
Under the city charter, anyone tied to a recall petition who steps down mid-proceedings would be barred from serving in any Yukon city role for a full year.
As Scott told city leaders, "We are organized and have begun the process of an initiative petition to prohibit data centers in our city."
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