The recall petitioners in Coeur d'Alene have less time to gather signatures than they thought they did.

The city and the Idaho Secretary of State's office were at odds over the 75-day petition deadline, specifically whether it included 15 days for the county clerk's office to certify the validity of the 4,311 signatures required to be on each of four petitions.

Mayor Sandi Bloem and City Council members Mike Kennedy, Woody McEvers and Deanna Goodlander are the targets of the recall effort.

The state now agrees with the city that the 15 days fall within the 75 days referenced in Idaho recall election law.

"We agree with you, in order to avoid a court challenge of the recall election, petitioners need to submit their petitions to you well in advance of the June 19th deadline so the signatures can be examined and certified by the county clerk within that deadline," wrote Tim Hurst, chief deputy in the secretary of state's office.