Video: Confusion at GOP "Special" Meeting to Recall Rep. Merrick

As GOP leadership met last evening in Eagle River to ram through an effort to recall Alaska House Representative Kelly Merrick, there appeared to be some confusion among those in attendance regarding the the number of days required to properly notify the public of a special meeting.

GOP leadership stated two days of public notice is required in order to properly call a special meeting, and a woman speaking in the video argued the correct number of days required was five.

When asked where two days of notice had been given in advance of the special meeting, no answer was given by GOP leadership.

According to the agenda, the meeting was listed as a "Special Meeting."

The only places where the term "special meeting" appears in the Alaska Republican Party Rules are under Sections 8 & 13.

Under Section 8 - Legislative Vacancies, the rules read in part:

"Public notice announcing the special meeting shall, at a minimum, appear on the ARP website and Facebook page five or more calendar days before the date of the special meeting," but it's unclear if this applies only to legislative vacancies.

An executive meeting as outlined in the Alaska Republican Party Rules, states that two days notice is required to be given.

Alaska House Representative Kelly Merrick stands accused of being "hoodwinked" by Representative Stutes into believing she would form a Republican lead majority in 2021. Rep. Merrick has stated that she has not joined a Democratic-controlled coalition.

Rep. Merrick was re-elected to District 14 on November 3, 2020 with 71.8% of the vote.

You can view the exchange below.