Sunday, July 30, 2017

Arizona: Former Huachuca City Mayor lauches recall against current mayor, three council members

Mayor Ken Taylor is facing a second recall effort, along with three council members (who's names will be added once I see an article with them). The leader of the effort is George Nerhan, a former mayor, and the issue is a complaint about divided government and dysfunction.

Taylor survived a recall in 2015.

Saturday, July 29, 2017

California: Assembly Speaker targeted by recall over opposition to single-payer healthcare

Single-payer healthcare advocates are targeting Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D) after Rendon stopped a single-payer healthcare bill.

New Jersey: Editorial in favor of Wayne Councilman recall

An editorial in favor of removing Councilman Richard Jasterzbski over his cursing out a fellow Republican over signs in campaign headquarters.

California: Del Norte County Supervisor recall fails

A recall attempt against Supervisor Lori Cowan has been shelved because, according to the article, the committee could not find sufficient cause for a recall. The issue that petitioners claimed was raising garbage fees and requests for distant business trips.

Alaska: Homer Recall group fined $725 for filing forms 29 days late

Here

California: Recall Rematch? Losing candidate in November election looks to run in recall against Democratic state Senator

Former Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang (R) has announced plans to run against Senator Josh Newman (D) if the recall gets on the ballot. Newman defeated Chang in November by less than 1% of the vote. There is a long history of "recall reruns" and you can see some of it here.

New Poll claims 59% would recall Trump; 44% all of Congress

Here -- though of course there is no recall on the federal level

California: Signatures handed in for Lake Forest City Council recall

Petitioners handed in 16307 signatures for the recall of Councilman Andrew Hamilton, they need at least 8834 to get on the ballot. An anti-recall campaign handed in 2268 withdrawal forms. This is the second time Hamilton is facing a recall petition -- he had one in 2015 that failed to get on the ballot. The issue seems to be about a contract with an animal shelter (and the kill rate at the shelter).

Friday, July 28, 2017

Idaho: Recall set for November 7 against Western Elmore Recreation District Directors

Petitioners handed in over 1700 valid signatures to get the recall against board president Art Nelson and Vice President Judy Mayne on the ballot. Petitioners need 1249. The two were proposing different uses for the park (one a dog park, the other a rodeo).

Nigeria: Plateau State Assembly member facing recall threat

House of Assembly member Godfrey K. Lamdip is facing a recall effort allegedly led by the APC-led government.

Nebraska: Bellevue City Council petitions rejected because affidavit handwritten, not typed

The recall campaign against Councilman Pat Shannon has been stopped because the petition was handwritten, not typed. Petitioners can resubmit. The issue was Shannon's carwash being voted to be torn down and him being tried (and found not guilty) of violating electrical license requirements.

Michigan: Petitions filed against five Addison Community School Board Trustees

Trustees Irving Dentel, Mike Karabestos, Mike Murphy, Jim Driskill and David Luke are all facing recalls over claims of open meeting act violations and failure to monitor the superintendent. The first petition attempt was rejected.

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Colombia: Bogota Mayor facing recall effort

Mayor Penalosa is facing a recall effort, with 473,700 signatures (of 706,000) validated. The petitioners are claiming that he has failed to follow through his campaign promises. Penalosa has pushed for a mega infrastructure project.

Wisconsin: 2012 recall providing key evidence in gerrymandering case

Here

Alaska: Borough attorney rejects petitions against Petersburg Assembly members

The Petersburg Borough Attorney has recommended against issuing recall petitions against Assembly members Jeigh Stanton Gregor, Nancy Strand, Kurt Wohlhueter and Eric Castro over a closed door session following the retirement of the electrical superintendent.

New Mexico: Petitioners ask permission to move forward on Roosevelt County Sheriff recall

Sheriff Malin Parker is the target of a recall over allegations that he retaliates against individuals who oppose his policies. Petitioners need 1288 signatures (and a judge's sign-off) to move forward.

Florida: Hillborough Commissioner facing recall threats over her flipped vote to remove a Confederate monument

Commissioner Sandy Murman (R) is facing recall threats after initially voting to reject a motion to removal a Confederate monument and then changing her vote in July.  Petitioners would need at least 11000 signatures to get on the ballot.

Kansas: Great Bend Council members facing inquiries into recall law

There has been questions about recalling Council members Joel Jackson and Vicki Berryman.

Oregon: Hubbard Mayor and Councilor facing petitions

Mayor Thia Estes and Councilor Bradley Williams are facing petitions filed by the son of a former police chief over the city's contracting for police services with the Marion County Sheriff's Office. Petitioner needs 111 signatures to get on the ballot.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

North Carolina: Pinehurst residents ask for recall law

Doesn't seem like it will be adopted -- though 21 local recall bills have been passed in the North Carolina General Assembly.

Michigan: Leader of Algonac recall effort denied reappointment to planning commission

Amanda Gougeon was a leader of the recall effort against Algonac Councilmembers Irene Bird. She has since been rejected for reappointment to the planning commission. Petitioners have submitted 396 and 398 signatures -- they need 331 (which is still be reviewed). The issue is a meeting regarding a Bible Church and proposed Dream Center and the removal of the City Manager.

Texas: Bowie Mayor and Council facing recall threats

Bowie Mayor Scott Davis and Councilors Chuck Malone, Wayne Bell, Terry Gunter, Douglas Boyd and Jim Graham are facing a recall threat (one of the councilors was appointed on June 20 and is not eligible). Petitioners need 628 signatures, though there was a discussion of the amount needed for a referendum election (which is 381 signatures). The issue is an increase in utility rates and a demand for a reduction in the electricity rate.

Rhode Island: Providence Councilman looking to collect pension after recall

Here

Michigan: Flint mayoral petition makes the ballot

Mayor Karen Weaver is facing a recall vote in November. Petitioners needed 5750 signatures and had 5951 verified.

Weaver is claiming that some of the signatures were obtained through misleading the signers. There is currently an investigation into those charges.

California: Petitioning started against two Redding Councilmembers

Councilmembers Kristen Schreder and Francie Sullivan are facing recalls over their vote to give raises to certain city employees. Petitioners need over 9800 signatures to get on the ballot.

Oregon: Jefferson Mayor and City Council facing recall effort

New Mayor Cyndie Hightower and new councilors Bob Burns, Brad Cheney and Stan Neal are facing recall efforts over claims that they are not acting ethically or fiscally responsible. The significant issue seems to be the new officials push for a public vote over annexation of 60 homes into the city. Burns has already resigned, though it sounds like that is simply because he sold his house and is moving.

Petitioners would need 135 signatures.

New Jersey: Petitions ready for Wayne Councilman recall

The signature effort against Councilman Richard Jasterbzski is set to begin over his cursing out a local Republican state committee candidate regarding the removal of signs in the Passaic County Regular Republican Organization's headquarters. Petitioners need 1317 signatures to get on the ballot.

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Missouri: Jefferson County Executive who face recall effort not seeking third term

County Executive Ken Waller, who sued the county for a pay hike and sued the city council in a power dispute, has decided to not run for reelection. Petitioners would need 21,000 signatures to get the recall on the ballot -- no word if that is continuing.


North Dakota: LaMoure County State's Attorney recall falls short

The recall attempt against State's Attorney Tonya Duffy was rejected due to incomplete addresses on petitions. Petitioners collected 613 signatures and turned them in on June 20. Petitioners needed 541. Five petitioners of 170 signatures were rejected because the circulator's residential address was incomplete on the last page. Petitioners claimed a lack of competency and that she didn't treat constituents fairly.

Montana: Petitions filed against Pondera County Sheriff

Sheriff Carl Suta is facing petitions over claims of abuse of power among many other things. Petitioners need 530 signatures in 90 days.

Michigan: Spring Lake Village President petition approved

Village President Joyce Hatton recall language was approved after she compared a parking ordinance to the Holocaust and has pushed for disincorporation. Petitioners need 282 signatures by August 3.

Nebraska: Bellevue Council recall

Councilman Pat Shannon's recall effort is set for a hearing on July 27. 

California: Recall effort started against Solano County Family Court Judge

A recall effort has started against Judge Christine Carringer over complaints about her custody arrangements. Petitioners need 23,972 signatures to get on the ballot.

Colorado: Broomfield Councilman survives recall vote

Mayor Pro Tem and Councilman Greg Stokes easily survived the recall vote against him over his opposition to a five year ban on fracking. The vote was 1583-2874.

Ohio: Signatures handed in against Loveland Mayor

Over 2000 signatures have been handed in against Mayor Mark Fitzgerald (petitioners need 15% of turnout -- the number is not clear from the article. The issue seems to be a lawsuit against Fitzgerald when he was the administrator for North College Hill claiming he misused city funds, and as part of his settlement, he could not work for the city again.

The article notes the rarity of recalls in Ohio that Lincoln Heights Mayor LaVerne Mitchell was removed in a recall in 2005.

California: Lawsuit challenges state recall revision rules

The backers of a recall effort against Senator Josh Newman, who submitted about 85,000 signatures for a recall effort, have sued to challenge the law that extends the amount of time between a petition and an election as well as gives voters the chance to remove their signatures from the petition. The suit focuses on provision that calls for the state's Department of Finance to give a review of the cost of the recall election, which has no timetable to when the review needs to be finished.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Texas: Alice City Council still trying to set date for recall

Here

Oregon: New attempt to remove Governor Kate Brown

Petitions have been filed to try and get a recall against Governor Kate Brown over claims of "overreach" on taxes, the voter referral process, the state's foster care system and the death during the Malheur National Wildlife Refugee in 2016.

The same petitioner, Arin Marcus, tried to recall Governor John Kitzhaber in 2015 because Kitzhaber did not intervene in custody case where Marcus was removed by the DHS and adopted.

Petitioners need 291,907 signatures to get on the ballot.

Michigan: Recall attempt launched against Spring Lake Village President

Village President Joyce Hatton, who was criticized for lateness and consulting with the auditor without council permission, where she seemed to have the other six council members object to her idea that there would be a significant amount of money left over if the village is dissolved. Hatton, who won office in November, pushed for dissolving the village in order to save on property taxes.

California: Tulare Regional Medical Center Board Director kicked out

Board Director Dr. Parmod Kumar was removed 707-168, and he is being replaced by Senovia Gutierrez, who won the replacement vote over Jesse Salcido 569-173. Almost all the votes were mail-in (703 mail-in ballots, 176 votes showed up on Tuesday).

The recall was over a $85 million in bonds for a new building and a vote to divest the powers of the board to Health Care Conglomerate Associates.

Monday, July 10, 2017

California: More news on State Senate recall effort

Fullerton City Councilman Bruce Whitaker (R) has thrown his hat into the ring; Three Republican petition-gatherers are being sued by the California Democratic Party over allegations that they claimed the petition was to remove the gas tax.

Michigan: Signatures handed in against Flint Mayor

Petitioners handed in nearly 8900 signatures to recall Mayor Karen Weaver. About 8200 were allowed to move forward and the clerk has until July 24 to check them. Petitioners need under 5800 signatures to get on the ballot. The recall would take place on Election Day if the signatures are enough.

California: Two Newhall County Water District members recall failed

The attempt to recall President Maria Gutzeit and director Dan Mortensen over a proposed water merger with Castaic Lake Water Agency has failed. Petitioners needed 5713 signatures, but didn't turn any in.

Wisconsin: Milwaukee Mayor and Democratic candidate against Scott Walker in 2012 facing recall efforts

Four-term Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who ran as the Democratic candidate in the 2012 Scott Walker recall election, is facing a petition partly led by one of the leaders of a group called the "Original Black Panthers of Milwaukee." The petition complains about crime, lead exposure in water pipes and the Milwaukee Streetcar project. Petitioners would need over 51,000 signatures in 60 days.

Texas: Two Forney Councilmembers targeted over water sales/financial stability issues

Councilmembers Mary Penn and Robbie Powers are both facing threats over complaints about the city's finances over the loss of its wholesale water sales. Two other councilmembers have not served long enough to be recalled. Petitioners need at least 20% of registered voters or two hundred signatures, whichever is greater.

Nebraska: Bellevue Councilman facing recall following acquittal

Councilman Pat Shannon, who was acquitted of violating electrical license requirements for a building he owns; pushed by the council to come up with a fix to his car wash and has an unpaid $16,000 fine for campaign finance law violations, is facing a recall effort. Petitioners need close to 6600 signatures in 30 days.

Friday, July 7, 2017

Colorado Three Custer County Commissioners facing petitions

A recall effort against Commissioner Bob Kattnig failed last year, but there are now petitions out against Commissioners Kattnig, Donna Hood and Jay Printz (all are Republicans). The petitions claim a violation of the oath of office by holding closed door, executive sessions and secret meetings. Petitioners need 470 signatures for Kattnig, 582 for Printz and 735 for Hood.

California: Democrats looking to change contribution limit law to help State Senator

Democrats are pushing the California Fair Political Practice Commission to allow state legislators to giver more than $4,400 to fight the recall. This is a part of the Senator Josh Newman recall effort.

Massachusetts: Southampton Select Board member quits after recall effort

Board member Shannon Cutler quit the board after a recall effort over her attendance record (she missed half the meetings) as well as moved out of town. The petition against Cutler was signed by Board Chairman Charlie Kaniecki and Selectman James LaBrie.

Nigeria: House of Representatives member now facing recall effort

A second recall attempt is going on in Nigeria, with House of Representatives member Bamidele Baderinwa facing the challenge.

Washington: Judge oks Black Diamond Councilwoman recall

A Judge ruled that a recall could proceed against Councilwoman Pat Pepper for Open Meeting Act violations. Petitioners have started gathering signatures. They need 370 signatures in 180 days.

Oregon: Roseburg Councilor hit with petitions

Petitions have been taken out against Councilor Ashley Hicks over her numerous run-ins with the homeless communities, including encounters she posted on Facebook. She also is pushing for the removal of a metal biohazard box from Micelli Park. Petitioners need 288 signatures to get on the ballot.

Nebraska: Two Sutherland Board Trustees members facing recall threats

Chairman John Lutz and Trustee Ray Ravenscroft are both hearing recall threats over claims that Lutz financially benefited from his position and disregard laws and Ravenscroft from a claim of a hostile work environment. Petitioners need almost 200 signatures to get the recall on the ballot.

Southwest flight attendants looking to oust union president

Transport Workers Union Local 556 President Audrey Stone is facing recall attempts over contract negotiations.

New Jersey: Phillipsburg Mayor facing recall effort

Mayor Stephen Ellis (D) is facing a recall effort over vague claims of incompetence and misuse of office. Ellis is claiming the recall is a stunt timed to the election of three council seats. Ellis won in 2015, beating a Republican incumbent looking for a fifth term.

One of the lead petitioners, Blaine Fehley, accused the mayor of assault for yelling at him over "crudely manipulated photos."

Petitioners need 2054 signatures in 160 days (25% of registered voters).

Ballotpedia mid-year Recall report

Ballotpedia has provided a great mid-year report -- 134 recalls initiated against 178 officials in 31 states. By their count, 31 recalls have occurred this year, 19 removed, 12 survived and another 10 resigned.

We're hoping to have a joint effort by the end of the year for the full list.

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

California: Santa Clara Judge responds to recall effort

Here and here's Mother Jones with some discussion of the "unintended consequences" of recalling judges.

California: Proposed Redding City Council recall estimated to cost hundreds of thousands for city

The proposed recall of Vice Mayor Kristen Schreder and Councilwoman Francie Sullivan is estimated to cost quite a bit, with the County Clerk citing a $268,000 cost for a 2013 State Senate race as a baseline.

California: Stockton Mayor, two city council members facing recall effort

Mayor Michael Tubbs and Councilmen Dan Wright and Jesus Andrade, all in their first terms, are facing recall efforts. All three beat incumbents in the election and one of the backers of the recall has lost badly in previous attempts to run as mayor and for the city council.

The recall backers claim that they are focusing on the city council members because both finished second in district voting in the primaries in June, but won office in the citywide voting in November. The city voters switched to district based voting in November, which will start for the council in 2018. However, they state reasons such as supporting the privitization of civil services, failure to support small business and the true catch-all "no measurable impact on Council." They are currently doing polling on the Tubbs recall effort.

Petitioners would need 27,000 or so signatures to get the mayor on the ballot. It sounds like any replacement would be appointed.

Stockton has had two recalls in the past. One was against Mayor Jimmie Rishwain in 1967 The other, against Councilman Mark Stebbins is one of those really weird recalls.

Michigan: Signatures submitted against two Algonac City Council members; Yale mayor recall fails

Signatures were handed in against Algonac City Council members Irene Bird and Joe Nugent, with 430 handed in, 300 are needed. The recall is over a meeting they attended about the former elementary school building and discussions about firing the city manager before he resigned. There is also talk about a recall effort against Mayor Eileen Tesch.

Yale Mayor Richard Busch is being dropped -- it was over the suspension of the former police chief for not wearing a bullet proof vest.

New Mexico: Second effort to recall Las Vegas Mayor fails

A second attempt against Las Vegas Mayor Tonita Gurule-Giron has failed to submit signatures. They needed 920, they claim they got 850.

North Dakota: Courtenay Recall will be first test of new Voter ID law

The 45 person town of Courtenay is holding a recall in October -- so far, no details about the actual vote or what's it about (can't even find a newspaper for the area). It will be the first test of the state's new Voter ID law.


Texas: Alice City Council recall tabled by city council

The city council has tabled the setting of a recall against City Council members Yolanda Sosa Moran and Elida Garza over when the recall can be set. It seems like the two councilors are the ones pushing the delay. The state is saying they need to schedule the vote on November 7 (Election Day) unless there is an "emergency" like a lack of quorum, in which the governor needs to set a special election day.

Nigeria: Timetable released for Kenyan Senator recall

The recall of Senator Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi West) has a timetable to start on July 10 and end on August 19. Melaye is still fighting the effort with a lawsuit.

Colorado: Frederick recall set for September 5

The recall against Mayor Tony Carey and Trustees Donna Hudziak, Fred Skates is over the support for a four story apartment building and a drive-in restaurant.

Two other officials, trustees Salvatore "Sam" DeSantis and Rocky Figurili, are facing a recall from the other side over their votes against the developments.

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Georgia: Recall against Gwinnett County Commissioner uncertain

The Democratic Party Chair suggests that the party is leaning to not recall Commissioner Tommy Hunter, who called U.S. Representative John Lewis a 'racist pig.' The issue is that the Democrats feel it won't meet the cause requirement.

North Dakota: Kindred City Council recall set for September 19

The recall of City Council woman Julie Johnson has been set for September 19. Petitioners gathered about 124 signatures, they needed less than 40. The issue was a claim of aggressive and disrespectful dealings with staff, leading to the resignation of the city auditor and the mayor, Jeff Wanner, who is Johnson's father. Both of them returned to the job (though Morrison later left for a private sector job).