KALKASKA CO., MI -- An effort to recall three Kalkaska County commissioners has failed to make the February ballot.

Voters will have the chance to recall the county prosecutor.

It’s an effort that's been building for weeks -- a push to recall Kalkaska County Prosecutor Brian Donnelly, and three commissioners, Tony Martini, Stuart McKinnon, and David Ritter. 

Tuesday, the recall petitions went to the election board for a clarity meeting.

"Our job is to decide whether or not this language is clear enough to go to the voters," explained election board chairperson Lynne Buday.

There was no discussion with for the recall language against Prosecutor Donnelly.  The election board agreed the language was clear and it could go on the February ballot if Donnelly doesn't appeal within 10 days and petitioners collect 1,600 signatures.

The recall claims Donnelly committed misdemeanors while in office and violations of HIPA laws.

As for the three commissioners, there was concern the language was not clear enough. 

"I find it very confusing and I do fair well at reading, I’m not illiterate," said Stu Rogers, one resident who voiced his concern.

The recall petitions claimed the commissioners didn't have the county's best interests in mind, like not allowing a bond proposal for a new library to go before voters, cutting funding for MSU Extension, their role in hiring a private firm to look at government consolidation to save money, and a vote by commissioners to prevent same-sex couples from getting government benefits.

"There’s no explanation on the petition why this vote was harmful, illegal, and unconstitutional," said Martini.

“The petition should be rejected for lack of clarity," said McKinnon.

After an hour and a half of discussion, the election board unanimously agreed the petition language wasn't clear enough to move forward.