OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - The removal of an elected county official in a Council Bluffs courtroom Thursday raises questions about how a local political office can be filled and who should make the decision.

Nineteen states leave that up to voters through a recall process followed by a public vote.

Nebraska is included on that list, but Iowa is not.

Pottawattamie County Supervisor Scott Belt was removed from office Thursday for being intoxicated while conducting official county business at a recent town hall meeting.

Pottawattamie County looking to fill vacancy on Board of Supervisors

But were the efforts to oust Belt politically motivated?

Iowa District Court Judge Roger Sailer ruled no.

“The defense in this case has raised the specter of such political motivations,” the judge said. “How

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