PARIS — Bear Lake County voters have recalled appointed Prosecutor Adam McKenzie, with election results showing nearly 60 percent voting in favor of his removal.

Of the 1,780 people who cast a ballot in Bear Lake County on Nov. 4, the recall election drew 1,530 voters, with 911 supporting the recall and 619 opposing it.

Officials in the Bear Lake County Clerk’s Office told the Idaho State Journal the county canvassed and certified the results of the Nov. 4 election on Monday, at which point McKenzie was immediately removed from office.

“We did it. It shows how when people come together our democracy works,” said Amy Lutz, founder of Voters For Transparency, the grassroots organization that initiated the recall. “I’m a little bit in shock and awe.”

The recall effort began after Voters For Transparency collected enough signatures from Bear Lake County residents to place the measure on the Nov. 4 ballot.

McKenzie’s removal creates a vacancy in the prosecutor’s office, but the appointment process remains unclear. Because McKenzie was not appointed as a Republican, there is uncertainty about the next steps. Additionally, Bear Lake County lacks licensed attorneys among its residents, which led to McKenzie’s initial appointment despite living outside the county.

Bear Lake County Commissioner Alan Eborn said the commission plans to consult the Republican Party and Idaho Secretary of State’s Office for guidance on filling the vacancy.

Under Idaho law, if the vacating officer was affiliated with a political party, the central committee must, within 15 days of McKenzie’s removal on Monday, submit three names for county commissioners to choose from. However, commissioners may directly appoint a qualified replacement if the vacating officer is not affiliated with a political party.

Because Bear Lake County has three or fewer resident attorneys willing to serve as prosecutor, Idaho law allows commissioners to appoint or contract with an attorney from outside the county.

Whoever is appointed will complete McKenzie’s two-year term, set to expire in January 2027. The appointed prosecutor could run for election in 2026 and, if successful, would serve a four-year term.

The recall effort gained momentum following two criminal cases prosecuted by McKenzie in 2024 that resulted in jury acquittals. Lutz said the movement began after her daughter RiLee, a former assistant high school softball coach, was charged with having a sexual relationship with a student and later acquitted.

McKenzie defended his prosecutorial decisions, saying judges found probable cause for charges on multiple occasions despite jury acquittals.

McKenzie, who was first appointed in 2018, said he had served at the commissioners’ request and wanted to continue in the position.

McKenzie did not return requests for comments for this article.