Monday, April 30, 2018

Maine: Waterville Councilor recall gets the signatures

Petitioners handed in enough signatures to get the recall of newly appointed Councilor John O'Donnell (D) on the ballot. O'Donnell is a former council member who was appointed to fill a vacancy and one of the other candidates, Libertarian Jay Coelho, pushed for the recall. The recall may be scheduled for the June 12 ballot.

Mayor Nick Isgro (R) is also facing a recall effort over a tweet criticizing survivors of the Parkland School shooting. Petitioners need 857 signatures to get Isgro's recall on the ballot. The O'Donnell recall is thought to be a"fight fire with fire" attempt to ward off the Isgro recall.

Michigan: Fourth Juanita Township official facing recall threats

Township Trustee Elaine Schunn is facing a recall petition of a wind farm easement. Three other members of the Juniata board are also facing petitions.

Wisconsin: Dover Town Chairman facing recall vote

Town Chairman Mario Lena is facing a recall petition over claims that is not conducting town meetings according to Robert's Rules of Order and other claims of unprofessional behavior. Lena accused past leaders of embezzlement and fraud. 

Petitioners need 411 signatures to get on the ballot.

Ohio: Newton Falls village to vote on recall law

Newton Falls is voting on May 8 to tighten its recall laws. The change would raise the petition requirement from 15% to 51% of registered voters to get the recall on the ballot.

Nigeria: Recall of Kogi West Senator fails

Senator Dino Melaye has survived a recall vote -- only five percent of voters turned out. They needed a 51% majority to succeed. Here's a BBC story on the "many scandals" of Dino Melaye.

Wisconsin: Fitchburg Mayor recall fails

The attempted recall of Mayor Jason Gonzalez over the removal of grants to the Boys & Girls Club failed with no signatures handed in. The leader of the recall was recently jailed for a parole violation.

Friday, April 27, 2018

Colorado: Ontario City council members and Treasure Valley Community College board members facing recall threats

The County Clerk wants to set aside money for a possible recall race, though there is no word on why the recall is threatened.

Michigan: Two Saginaw School Board facing petitions

Treasurer Mattie Thompson and Secretary Kim "Today" Hamilton are facing petitions over their vote to not renew a Superintendent's contract. 3415 signatures are needed.

Thursday, April 26, 2018

California: Pico Rivera City Council recall attempt going forward

The recall attempt against Council member Gregory Salcido has been approved. Petitioners need 6386 signatures. Salcido has been under attack after he was fired from his high school teaching job for criticizing military members.

Maine: Recall against three Scarborough School Board members scheduled for May 8

The recall election against board members Donna Beeley, Jodi Shea and Cari Lynford has been scheduled for May 8. The fight is over the resignation of a principal, school start times changes, a proficiency-based education model and transparency issues.

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Michigan: Tecumseh School Board members facing recall effort

School board Vice President Steven Linn, treasurer Kimberly Amstutz-Wild, Secretary Debbie-Johnson-Berges and member Jim Rice over violations of the Open Meetings Act as well as other complaints. Petitioners would need 1491 signatures for each.

Update: The language of the petition has been approved.

California: San Dieguito Union School District Board member facing petitions

Board member Joyce Dalessandro is facing a recall effort over a list of complaints (though she claims to have fought for many of the items). Dalessandro has been on the board for 22 years.

Monday, April 23, 2018

Michigan: New petitions filed against Muskegon County Drain Commissioner

Petitioners have revised a petition against Commissioner Brenda Moore following its factual/clarity rejection by the Election Commission. The issue is a her approval of a $2 million + tax assessment. Apparently, because the Election Commission failed to meet in a timely manner, the petition has been approved.

Wisconsin: Dover Town Chairman facing recall threats

Town Chairman Mario Lena is facing recall threats, including an add in the paper, after he accused past leaders of embezzlement and fraud.

Michigan: Mayfield Township recall language withdrawn

A petition to recall Township Supervisor Dianna Ireland has been withdrawn, though she is now revising it. The issue is the new fire department. Petitioners need 670 signatures.

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Oregon: Two Port of Brookings Harbor Commissioners resign in face of recall

Following the handing in of more than 1000 signatures, Commissioners Roger Thompson and Andy Martin both resigned. Angi Christian and Jan Barbas are still facing a potential recall over the firing of the Port Manager. The petitions were certified by April 19.

Idaho: New Plymouth School Board facing recall threats

All five school board members Ron Kovick, Dave Brogan, Dani Rollins, Arlo Decker and Darrell Brown are facing recall threats over their support for the superintendent.

Update: The Superintendent has since resigned.

Update 2: No signatures were turned in.

Friday, April 20, 2018

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Nevada: Judge rules recall effort against two State Senators failed

District Court Judge Jerry Wiese ruled that the recalls against Senators Joyce Woodhouse (D) and Nicole Cannizzaro (D) failed, though the judge was frustrated by the failure of the election commission to give clear numbers of how many valid signatures were turned in. Petitioners can still appeal.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Michigan: Macomb Township Trustee facing recall effort

Trustee Dino Bucci (R) is facing a recall effort after he was following his indictment for bribery, extortion, money laundering and fraud as part of a probe over a garbage company. He also allegedly took a $66,000 cash kickback.

Two Republican representative are called for the governor to remove him. 6,846 signatures are needed to get the recall on the ballot.

Michigan: Recall effort against Coloma Township Supervisor and Treasurer rejected

The recall of Supervisor Ken Parrigin and Treasurer James Fulton was rejected on clarity grounds. The issue was a liability for the township.

Colorado: La Plata Commissioner recall falls short by 2000 signatures; Petitioners have 15 days to add

The recall against Commissioner Gwen Lachelt (D) failed, as petitioners handed in 6485 signatures, with 5475 found valid (15% rejection rate). Petitioners needed 7505. Petitioners now have 15 days to try and meet that total -- though Lachelt says she will sue over that interpretation.

The issue is Lachelt's environmental policy.

Oregon: Petitions handed in against four Port of Brookings Harbor Board Commissioners

More than 1000 signatures were handed in against Commissioners Angi Christian, Andy Martin, Roger Thompson and Jan Barbas each. The issue was the firing of the Port Manager. Petitioners need 856 valids.



Maryland: Bowie Councilmember facing recall effort

Council member Courtney Glass is facing a recall effort, with petitioners needing 2800 signatures in 30 days. Last year, Council member Diane Polangin was removed and then ran and lost in the replacement race. The elections were estimated to cost about $30,000.

The issue is votes in favor of development and an apartment complex (as well as poor attendance at a council meeting).

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Idaho: Albion Mayor facing petitions -- second petition accepted

Mayor Sharon Hardy-Mills Wilmot is facing a petition over claims that she "lacks knowledge to 'adequately' and 'fairly' run the city. The petition only had 13 signatures and needed 20.

Update: Petition has now been accepted

California:Third Fresno Central Unifed School Board member facing recall effort

School Board member Terry Cox is now facing a recall effort led by his failed opponent in the 2016 election, Richard Martinez. Martinez is the husband of the president of the teachers union.

The Cox recall effort is taking place at the same time as an effort to remove Phillip Cervantes and Richard Solis over the firing of a superintendent. Cox voted to keep the superintendent. Petitioners need about 3000 signatures to get on the ballot.

Nevada: Recheck of State Senate recall petitions still fails to hit requirement

Following a recheck of signatures, petitioners were still found to have missed the numbers needed to get the recalls of Senators Joyce Woodhouse and Nicole Cannizzaro on the ballot. The Woodhouse recall missed by 21, and Cannizzaro by about 500. Prior to the recheck, the signature total discrepancy was 196 for Woodhouse.

An appellate court is still expected to decide whether signatures can be removed by the signer after the fact. If the court upholds the lower court ruling that they can be, then the petitions will have missed by a lot more.

Monday, April 16, 2018

Florida: Madeira Beach recall dead

Following the judicial ruling that stopped the recall of Commissioners John Douthirt and Nancy Oakley, the committee declared that they will not be appealing the ruling further. Douthirt and Oakley are being paid back $13000 in legal fees.

California: Third Calaveras Supervisor petitions approved

The recall effort against Supervisor Gary Tofanelli has been approved, with petitioners needing 1396 signatures to get on the ballot. Proponents claim the issue is a lack of leadership, with one claim that Tofanelli jumped the line to take the Chairman position before another supervisor.

There are already petitions against Supervisor Jack Garamendi (1319 signatures needed) and Supervisor Dennis Mills (1555 signatures needed), both over cannabis issues.

Texas: Kennedale councilmembers facing May 5 recall vote

Councilmembers Sandra Lee and Jan Joplin are facing a May 5 recall vote -- both were elected last May. Joplin is also running against the Mayor Brian Johnson.

The recall is over complaints of violating the city charter by working around the city manager, removing non-supporters from advisory boards and threatening city workers. Joplin and Lee argue that the recall is over their raising concerns about city spending in general and questionable co-mingling of funds.

California: Live Oak Mayor facing recall effort over water and sewer rate increases

Mayor Aleksandar Tica is facing a recall effort over proposed water and sewer rate increases. Tica was elected in January.

Nevada: Recall proponents ask for recheck of 389 signatures

The Republican backers of the recall effort against Nevada State Senators Nicole Cannizzaro (D) and Joyce Woodhouse (D) have asked for a recheck of 389 signatures. Petitioners actually need over many more signatures approved to remove Woodhouse (1600) and Cannizzaro (1900), but this is likely a test to see if it is worth asking for a recheck on the rest.

Maine: Signatures verified against three Scarborough School Board members

The clerk has stated that enough signatures have been handed in against board members Donna Beeley, Jodi Shea and Cari Lynford. They needed 2622 signatures. It's not clear how many valids were given in. The issue was the resignation of a principal, school start times changes, a proficiency-based education model and transparency issues.

Massachusetts: Barnstable County Commissioner facing calls for removal following criticism of Parkland students, but no recall provision

Barnstable has been debating adopting a recall law following comments by County Commissioner Ronald Beaty Jr. (R) over fights over a parking space, a proposal to kill great white sharks and criticize of the "#MeToo movement." Now, Beaty has heavily criticized Parkland School Shooting survivor David Hogg, leading to further push for his removal. Beaty is also a candidate for state Representative. Quite a bit more detail here, including that Beaty spent a year in jail for threatening to kill President George H.W. Bush.

Texas: West University Place Councilwoman facing petitions over disorderly conduct charge for yelling at girl in pro-Trump t-shirt

Petitions are being collected against Councilwoman Kellye Burke after she was charged with a misdemeanor for yelling at a middle school girl wearing a "trump Make America Great Again" T-shirt.  Petitioners need 1656 signatures (15%) to get on the ballot.

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Maine: Waterville Mayor and Councillor facing recall efforts

Mayor Nick Isgro (R) and newly appointed Councilor John O'Donnell (D) are both facing recall efforts. O'Donnell is a former council member who was appointed to fill a vacancy. One of the other candidates, Libertarian Jay Coelho, is pushing for the recall. Isgro has faced the recall over a tweet criticizing survivors of the Parkland School shooting. Petitioners need 91 signatures by May 2.

Nevada: Recall attempts against two Democratic State Senators fail

The recall attempt against Senators Joyce Woodhouse and Nicole Cannizzaro (D) both failed to get enough signatures. The district court counted the controversial requests to remove names. The article says that Democrats feel that even without the removals, the recall would have failed to get to the ballot.

Petitioners need 14216 and 14412 signatures.

Massachusetts: Supreme Judicial Court throws out Townsend recall

The Supreme Judicial Court upheld an appellate court ruling tossing out the recall of Selectman Cindy King because it din't set a proper cause of action. The ruling is only 1 paragraph long.

Maine: Minot School Board Member cannot face recall vote

Board member Mike Downing, who was fired as a bus drier for allegedly making racist and sexist comments, cannot be recalled. Downing's law allows it for municipal officers, but not school board members, according to the Superintendent.

Texas: Plano Councilman recall vote scheduled for November Election Day

Councilman Tom Harrison's recall has been scheduled for November 6. 4400 signatures were gathered, 2800 were needed. Harrison is facing the recall for a Facebook post against teaching Islam in the school.

Monday, April 9, 2018

Maine: Waterville Mayor facing recall threat over tweet about Parkland shooting

Mayor Nick Isgro (R) is facing calls for resignation and discussion of a recall following a tweet against Parkland student David Hogg.

Oregon: Oakridge Mayor facing recall effort

Mayor Jim Coey is facing a recall threat over his push against the city administrator, who had his contract approved by a 4-3 vote. One of the leaders of the recall effort is a member of the planning commission. 

Petitioners need 178 signatures in 90 days. Coey's term ends at the end of the year.

Louisiana: Opelousas Mayor subpoenas organizers of recall effort

Mayor Reggie Tatum, who is facing charges of theft forgery and malfeasance for $13,000 overtime payment and forged time sheets, is trying to subpoena the grand jury information of his indictment as well as the recall petition that had previously failed to get enough signatures.

California: Calaveras School District recall fails to submit signatures

No signatures were handed in against Sherri Reusche and Dennis Dunnigan. Petitioners needed 833.

Massachusetts: Supreme Judicial Court hears arguments in Townsend recall

Here -- this is another case turning on whether a recall law is a political one or a malfeasance standard one that requires a showing of cause before getting on the ballot.

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Tribal Council Chairman survives recall vote

Chairman Thurlow "Sam" McClellan survived his recall vote 229-249, The recall took place at the same time as a primary election for three other seats. The issue was claims of misuse of tribal funds in the purchase of an airline ticket (he claims it was paid back within four days as was simply so his wife could accompany him on a trip to DC). McClellan claims the recall was over his opposition to a proposed hotel and casino.

Michigan: Kinderhook Township Clerk resigns instead of facing recall vote

Township Clerk Cynthia Carpenter quit rather than face a May 8th recall vote over claims that she refused to share information with the treasurer, violating FOIA, replacing Deputy Clerks without notifying the board, and issues about mileage reimbursement. Her replacement is expected to be Ginger Kesler, who filed to run against Carpenter.

Maine: York School Board member survives recall vote

School Board Member Dick Bachelder easily survived the special election vote. 315-744. The recall was over the firing of the football and basketball coach. Turnout was about 10% of total voters.

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Florida: Madeira Beach Commissioner recall granted temporary injunction

A judge granted a temporary injunction stopping the April 17 recall of Commissioners John Douthirt and Nancy Oakley. The judge held that the recall didn't set enough grounds to hit the malfeasance standard. No word yet on whether the petitioners will appeal.

Michigan: Four Saugatuck Township recalls set for November 6

The recalls against Clerk Brad Rudich, Treasurer Lori Babinski, Trustees Roy McIlwaine and Douglas Lane have been set for November 6. The issue was a failure to remove an employee who was reprimanded. The four are all Republicans and any candidate running against will be listed either as a different party or as non-partisan.

New Mexico: Los Alamos County Council Chair recall effort thrown out by judge

The recall effort against Councilor David Izraelevitz (D) was kicked out by a judge because the effort doesn't have enough time to run legal notices before the election.

Texas: Signatures handed in against Plano Councilman

Petitioners handed in over 4400 signatures to recall Councilmember Tom Harrison over his Facebook posts on banning Islam in public schools. Petitioners need 2791 signatures to get on the ballot.

Louisiana: House Committee passes bill to lower signature totals for recalls

The bill copies the California model and would drop the signature totals from the 1/3rd of registered voters to 20 percent for large cities; 25 for medium sized  and maintain 1/3rd for communities of less than 25000 voters.

Colorado: Dolores School Board members facing petitions

School Board President Dee Prock and board member Vangi McCoy are facing petitions over complaints over transparency and declines in performance. Petitioners need 335 signatures in 60 days.

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

California: Newark School Board members facing recall effort

Board members Jan Crocker, Francisco Preciado Jr. and Ray Rodriguez are all facing a recall effort. Rodriguez was previously the target of a recall in 2014. Petitioners would need about 3200 signatures.

Oregon: Clatskanie School Board recall set for May 1 as one director resigns

The recall against Director Monty Akin and Judy Skirvin has been set for May 1. Director Walt Lovegren resigned rather than face a vote. The issue was the superintendent's recommendation against renewing an elementary school principal's contract.

Petitioners handed in about 380 signatures, which they claimed to have collected in less than eight hours. They needed 288. The recall is estimated to cost about $4000.

Monday, April 2, 2018

Colorado: La Plata County Commissioner recall missing 1105 signatures to get on ballot

6400 signatures were handed in against Commissioner Gwen Lachelt, (D) with petitioners needing 7505 to get on the ballot. Colorado law allows a 15 day collection additional collection period to get the final 1105 signatures. The issue is Lachelt's alleged lobbying for environmental positions

Massachusetts: State legislature to vote on allowing East Bridgewater recall provision

The state legislature is set to vote on a recall provision for East Bridgewater (S.402). Petitioners would need 100 signatures and 15% of registered voters in each precinct.

Massachusetts: Townsend recall case heading to state's Supreme Judicial Court

The recall effort against Selectmen Gordon Clark and Cindy King over investigations into the police department is now heading to the state's highest court. The recall was set for June 19. The lower court threw out the recall because it didn't describe the actions, but the Appeals Court reversed.