Joe Arpaio Recall Group Gathers 120,000 Signatures

Some of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's foes are rallying together to remove him from office.

A group of organizers from Respect Arizona say they have gathered 120,000 signatures so far, more than one-third of the amount needed to force a recall election, the Associated Press reports. The group must gather more than 335,000 signatures by May 30 for the bid to succeed.

The political committee, which calls itself the "Official Committee to Recall Sheriff Arpaio," according to its website, filed registration paperwork in January, launching the recall effort.

Respect Arizona argues that the sheriff has not successfully fulfilled his duties, prioritizing immigration enforcement over other police responsibilities.

Arpaio fans are putting up a fight against the recall effort. Larry Klayman, a lawyer representing Arpaio's supporters said he would take legal action against the recall group in March, according to the Associated Press.

Those disagreeing with Arpaio's conservative stance on gun control and immigration have formed other websites and online groups as well, such as Overthrow Arpaio and People Against Sheriff Joe Arpaio.