Idaho: Flier Mayor and Council members face recall petitions

Flier Mayor Rick Dunn and the entire city council, Ruby Hite, Joe Lineberry, Don Barkley and Russell “Bud” Sheridan, are facing recalls after the council announced that a police officer who shot a dog running loose would remain on the payroll.

Petitioners cannot begin the process until the council is in office 90 days. They've only been there 82. Petitioners need 201 signatutes (20%) in 75 days). There's going to be some real questions on replacements -- the city uses an appointment process, so in case of recalls, the mayor appoints new city council members, and the city council elected new mayors.

Here's an editorial opposing the recall effort.

Michigan: Bertrand Township clerk petition language up for review.

Petitions against Bertrand Township Clerk Jane Lano are being reviewed for language. The leader of the petition drive is a firefighter. Lano has questioned the department over its failure to be licensed as a medical first responder. Lano had previously faced petitions in 2011 (when a supervisor and trustee were removed), but the recall was dropped.

Cambodia: Recall elections discussed

Here

California: Six candidates qualify for ballot in Moreno Valley replacement race, including incumbent mayor's wife

The recall against Moreno Valley Mayor Tom Owings has drawn six replacement candidates, one of whom is Owings wife, Susan Gilmore Owings.

Arizona: Three challengers in Sunnyside school board recall

Here

Canada: Calgary Herald op-ed opposes recall

The Calgary Herald has an op-ed claiming the province doesn't need a recall, and citing the recent removal of Premier Alison Redford as the example. There hasn't been too much discussion on a recall in the province recently, but the Wildrose party (who has gone up in the polls) had previously supported one).

Rhode Island: Woonsocket city councilors facing petitions over full day kindergarten proposal

Woonsocket city councilors, Garrett Mancieri and Melissa Murray, are facing recall petitions over their support for a resolution (that was tabled) pushing for the reimplementation of full day kindergarten. 

Michigan: Cedar Springs City Council recall petitions approved

Cedar Springs City Council members Ashley Bremmer and Patricia Troost are facing petitions. The language was approved by a 2-1 vote. The issue was both voting in a closed session and more critically, voting to change the city logo and tagline (here's a bit on that odd fight). Petitioners need 170 signatures in 60 days. 

Tennessee: Chattanooga Council recall facing trouble getting signatures

Looks like City Councilman Chris Anderson efforts to stop the recall against him with lawsuits may be unnecessary. Reports note that petitioners have handed in 146 valid signatures (they need 1,600 by April 9). The report also claims that several pages of the signatures were in the same handwriting.

Colorado: Democrats propose changes to recall law following losses in September

The changes are an attempt to conform the recall law to the regular election law. The discrepancy caused some serious issues with the September recalls. It pays to remember that this is not an unusual issue with recalls -- we frequently see that recall laws are poorly drafted, resulting in confusion and lawsuits. We'll see what happens.

Philippines: Puerto Pricensa City Mayor facing recall petitions

Puerto Pricensa City Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron is facing recall petitions brought by an official of the last administration. The petition has about 40,000 signatures.  Petitioners need 22,227 (15% of registereds).

The petitioner claims that the administration is responsible for a drop in tourism, increase in crime.

California: Maywood Mayor, City Councilwoman facing petitions;

Mayor Oscar Magaña and Councilwoman Veronica Guardado are facing petitions, though there are complaints that the petitions are illegal.

The complaints include that petitions had only signature lines and no reasons for the recall. Lots of different accusations are being thrown around on the petitioning process. One of the proponents of the recall is a Former Councilman Felipe Aguirre, who lost in November. There is some claim that he is trying to use the recall to get back into office.

The recall proponents claim that Magna and Guardado (and one other councilman) supported an ordinance, but needed 4 votes to pass. The ordinance went down 3-1 with one absent. They have seen brought back the ordinance for a vote, which has helped push forward the recall.

Arizona: Clifton School Board recall bounces out two incumbents

The two incumbents, Adam Chacon and Reynaldo Tavison, overwhelmingly lost their recall races. Christine Hancock defeated Chacon 490-97 and Betty Swesey won a three-way race, 385-163 (Ron Johnson - 50 for Tavison.

Here's an op-ed criticizing the use of the recall in Arizona, noting that the challengers could have run against Chacon and Tavison (both of whom were elected unopposed).

California: Signatures handed against Commerce Mayor, three city councilmembers

Petitioners have turned in signatures against Mayor Joe Aguilar, and City Councilmembers Tina Baca del Rio, Leila Leon and Ivan Altamirano, handing in 2,100 per. They need 1577. 350 signers retracted their signatures, but petitioners weren't concerned.

Florida: Threats of recalls in Fruitland Park

Four of the five Fruitland Park commissioners  are facing recall threats over their settlement of three lawsuits petitioners would need 250 signatures (10%) in 30 days. Then they have to get 15% more
367 in 60 days.

Oregon: West Linn Mayor, City Councilor recalls fail

The attempted recall of West Linn Mayor John Kovash and councilors Mike Jones, Jenni Tan and Jody Carson failed, with petitioners not turning in petitions. The petitioners, who are citing a moral victory, claim they got almost 1800 signatures (they needed 1844 per), but of course, that's not verifiable. The issue was the vote to expand a water project.

Arizona: Cave Creek Vice Mayor signs own petition with a actor's name

Vice Mayor Adam Trenk, facing a recall petition with councilmen Mike Durkin, Reg Monachino and Charles Spitzer, signed the petition with the name of James Gandolfini, and then posted it on Facebook.The article notes that a fake signature is a misdemeanor violation.

Virginia: Ruling on allowing recall petitioners into recall trial of Sterling Supervisor

In a first motion in the rare use of the recall trial, a judge ruled that the recall plaintiffs can't join the case against Sterling Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R), but may be allowed in once a new prosecutor is appointed.

Delgaudio is facing a recall over claims by a staffer that she set up meetings to solicit political donations on the county clock. Petitioners handed in 686 signatures. Though there was a grand jury investigation, no charges were filed. The Board of Supervisors (all Republican), censured Delgaudio and stripped him of committee assignments.

California: Petitioners calling for resignation of embattled Pleasant Hills City Clerk

The recall against City Clerk Kim Lehmkuhl for failing to produce council meeting minutes for a year is leading to resignation pressure. Petitioners are citing an estimated $23,712 cost for the recall, and at least $8000  to verify the signatures (petitioners need 3,800).

Texas: Recall being pushed in Temple, though questions on city law persist

Temple’s city charter is causing problems with the attempted recall of Mayor Pro Tem Judy Morales. Morales is facing a recall after an arrest warrant was issued for her over the deletion of emails at HELP Center computers (Morales is the former director of HELP Center).

The issue is how many signatures are needed. Petitioners need to get 30% of voters in a single member district. However, no one knows that number. The article claims she needs more than 11,000 in 30 days.

Massachusetts: Hanson Board of Selectmen Chair and Vice chair facing petitions over elementary school project

Hanson Board of Selectmen Chairman James Egan and Vice Chairman Stephen Amico are facing recall petitions for their support for a $58 million elementary school project. Petitioners claim they have gotten 500 signatures in three days, and are looking for 700. They need 10% of registered voters in 20 days. 

Arizona: Fort Mohave Big Sandy Natural Resource Conservation District Supervisor facing May recall vote

Fort Mohave's Big Sandy Natural Resource Conservation District Supervisor, Dr. Allen Stout, is facing an upcoming mail-in ballot recall on May 20.
Petitioners claim that Stout, the chairman,  has prevented meetings in order to stop two vacancies from being filled.

Massachusetts: Lancaster overwhelmingly votes for recall law

Lancaster voted 287-58  to ask the state legislature to allow recalls, with the target of the particular law Selectmen Jean Syria and Susan Smiley. The two voted to let the Town Administrator's contract expire.

Massachusetts: New Gardner charter would add recall law

The city is looking to add a recall law. Petition against the mayor and councilors-at-large would need 500 signatures; 300 would be needed against ward councilors and school board members. The would also need 20% turnout for the recall to pass.

At the same time, the city is looking to give the mayor 4 year terms.

California: Recall against San Juan Capistrano mayor fails

The recall effort against San Juan Capistrano Mayor Sam Allevato ended with petitioners not handing in any signatures. They needed 3503 (20% of registereds) by Friday.The issue was Allevato's support for increased water rates and the city’s groundwater recovery plant.

Texas: Temple Mayor facing petitions

Temple Mayor Pro Tem Judy Morales and members of the city council are facing petitions due to questions of her eligibility for the office and her alleged use of country resource for her campaign. It's not clear how many signatures are needed for the recall.

Michigan: Genesee County Sheriff facing petitions

Petitions have been filed against Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell over a debate over payments Pickell received. Still needs a clarity hearing.

Texas: Jasper settlement revisits recall campaign

Here's some follow up to the Jasper recall of a few years ago, which comes back in the news due to a settlement in the civil rights lawsuit between the fired police chief and the city.

Nevada: Attorney pleads guilty of (among many things) trying to illegally stop recalls in La Vegas HOAs

Las Vegas attorney Barry Levinson plead guilty for (among other things) trying to fraudulently gain control over COndo Home Owners Associations. Noteworthy for this blog:

Similarly, Levinson admitted that after a rigged election at the Pebble Creek HOA, the homeowners filed a recall petition. Levinson was hired as the HOA general counsel at the direction of a co-conspirator and took several steps to deter the recall election, including firing the property management company and filing a lawsuit to stop the recall election.

California: Claims of intimidation in Commerce petition gathering

Petition gathers are claiming that Commerce Councilwoman Lelia Leon attempted to intimidate signers and petitioners. Petitioners are gathering signatures against  Mayor Joe Aguilar and City Councilmembers Ivan Altamirano, Tina Baca Del Rio, and Leon.

 Petitioners claimed that Leon got out of her vehicle and yelled at a signer "don;t sign the petition" and continued to yell and claim that the Home Media Group was going to be indicted for perjury. It was also claimed that she followed the gatherers after getting in her car.

Massachusetts: Lancaster holding special meeting on March 10 over proposed recall law

Here -- this is over the non-renewal of a contract for the Town Administrator

Colorado: Colorado Springs STAR Academy Board President facing recall vote

The recall battle against STAR Academy board president Al Loma is moving forward. Parents had handed in 138 verified signatures. The board did not have a qurom at the last meeting, but the Colorado Springs School District 11's interpretation of the school's bylaws allowed for the presentation even without a quorum.

New Jersey: Vineland mayor loses another ally

Here

Arizona: Clifton School Board recall coming in on March 11

The Clifton School Board recall, targeting members Reynaldo Tavison and Adam Chacon, are due in on March 11. 820 ballots have been mailed out, and at least 329 have been cast. Both of the members ran unopposed in their original election.

The issue is a tax increase that raised the schools budget from $500,000 to almost a $1 million. The district has about 60 students. One of the issues (promoted by the challengers) is closing the high school (which has 38 students).

Massachusetts: Ousted Lowell City Councilor sues recall backers for defamation

Lowell City Councilor Pam Bryant, who lost a recall in December with 55% against her, has filed a suit claiming that the recall backers defamed her (the recall leaders have in turn filed an anti-SLAPP lawsuit to kick the case out.

Michigan: Clarity hearing rejects Saginaw School Board recall petitions

Petitions against three Saginaw School District Board of Education members, Delena Spates-Allen, Alexis Thomas and Glenda Richardson-Vaughn, were rejected for clarity reasons. The three are facing a recall over a claim that they failed to evaluate the district's superintendent, Carlton Jenkins.