Navajo Nation: Three School Board members kicked out in recall vote

Alamo Navajo School Board President Hector Guerro, VP Bucky Apache and MemberSteven Apache all lost their seats in a March 12 recall vote. Guerrero lost to Charlotte Guerro, coming in third behind Geneva Apachito (228-80-78); Bucky Apache lost to John Apachito 292-109; and Steven Apache lost to Raymond Apachito Sr. 258-123.

The recall was over questions of misspending. The three are barred from serving in any Navajo Nation elected office for eight years.

Massachusetts: Settlement in wrongful termination suit that led to recall of three Stoughton Selectmen

Former Town Manager Michael Hartman settled a lawsuit against the city for wrongful termination. The firing of Hartman led to the recalls of Chairman David "Spanky" Sousa (55% against)  and Selectman Robert Cohn (52.4 % against) and Peter Brown (52.5).

Colorado: Administrators behind Facebook page touting Governor recall have history of anti-Semitic posts

The push for the recall of Governor Jared Polis (D) has gained a lot of attention for collecting 30,000 Facebook members (none of whom count to get the recall on the ballot). Now, there has been a revelation that administrators have a history of posting anti-Semitic comments, especially against Polis who is Jewish. The group claims to have gotten rid of these administrators.

Petitioners would need 631,266 signatures to get on the ballot.

Florida: Riviera Beach City Council members lose reelection fights after recall signatures thrown out

Following a recall attempt in which thousands of signatures were tossed out becase of issues with the date on the petitions, resulting in a judge stopping the recall, Riviera Beach City Council members Terence Davis, Lynne Hubbard and Dawn Pardo were all kicked out in a runoff election. The recall was over a vote to fire the city manager.

Michigan: Recalled Leoni Township Clerk hired as consultant after replacement resigns

Former Clerk Michele Manke (D) who lost to Mark Carpenter (R) in November, has been hired as a consult for the May election. Carpenter resigned the office in March, saying he wasn't trained by the state until this month and with 600 untouched voter resignations. Manke served for 14 years before the recall.

UK: Conservative MP facing recall effort over false expense claim

MP Chris Davies has admitted to making a false expense claim for £700 worth of photographs and was convicted on Friday. The House of Commons speaker has asked for petitions to be allowed for signing. Petitioners would need about 5300 valid signatures.

Pennsylvania: State Representative pushing for recall law

State Representative Jared Solomon (D) is proposing a recall law for the state after City Councilman Bobby Henon, who was indicted on bribery, fraud and conspiracy charges, will have an unopposed route to the Democratic nomination in May.

Philadelphia use to have a recall law, but it was ruled unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court.

Colorado: Two Groups trying to Recall Democratic Governor

Two groups are trying to recall Governor Jared Polis (D), with the issues cited as his support for the National Popular Vote law, gun control legislation and the oil and gas law.

Petitioners would need 631,226 signatures in 60 days. So far, the state GOP is not backing the push. The recall can't start until Polis has been in office for six months.

Arizona: Foothill Community Association HOA President and two members facing recall effort

Board President William Fautsch and newly appointed members Gary Walker and Mark Moskal are facing recall efforts. Petitioners may need about 440 signatures (10% of the 4100 homeowners and 300 businesses). Among the issues is a claim that Fautsch (who has been president for 12 years) doesn't live in the community (he rents out his apartments).

Update: There is an upcoming vote.

North Carolina: Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board recall suspended after chairwoman resigns

Following the resignation of Chairwoman Margaret Samuels, petitioners have suspended the recall attempt against Board Members James Barrett and Pat Heinrich over a decision to make one existing school a Mandarin language magnet school.

If petitioners get back into the fight, they would need 10% of turnout in 30 days to get on the ballot. The recall would be filled by appointment and all three are up for reelection in the fall (one is running for state school superintendent in 2020 instead).

Chapel-Hill is one of only two school boards to allow recalls in the state (the law was passed in 1993). Also of note is that 24 North Carolina cities allow for recalls.

Arizona: Supreme Court kills Phoenix City Councilman recall

The Supreme Court upheld a decision which stopped the recall of Phoenix City Councilman Michael Nowakowski (D). The recall had been set for May 21. Nowakowski's sister filed the suit claiming that the PAC missed three requirements in submitting the petitions (attaching official city documents to each petition sheet alongside a serial number and time and date stamp).

The recall is over a vote to study and potentially delay a light rail expansion. Nowakowski was previously threatened with a recall over same-sex marriage and transgender bathroom issues. Petitioners handed in 2361 signatures and needed 1331.

Maine: Two recall dates have been set for three Ogunquit Selectmen

Two recall dates have been scheduled against Selectmen Madeline Mooney, Charles Waite III and Robert Winn, as the board approved the dates of April 30th and May 9th. The recall is for the three selectmen's support of the town manager's decision to fire the Fire Chief.

There is still a court case trying to throw the recall out based on a claim that the petitions and signatures are invalid because one of the petitioners isn't a resident (courts have held that petitioners do not have to be a resident to be allowed to collect signatures).  Petitioners handed in over 300 signatures. They needed 215 valids and got 253-257.

Colorado: Third Democratic state legislator facing recall effort

Representative Rochelle Galindo is facing a recall effort, which has the involvement of former Weld County GOP Chairwoman Stacey Kjeldgaard. Galindo won with over 53% of the vote in 2018.

Senator Jeff Bridges and Representative Med Froelich are also facing recall efforts. Petitioners need 5696 signatures. They have won the district since 2002.

Massachusetts: Judge throws out attempt to stop certification of Fall River Mayor replacement race victory

A Superior Court Judge Thomas Perrino tossed out an attempt to stop the approval of the replacement vote that put Mayor Jasiel Correira back in office. Correia lost a recall vote, but won the replacement race. The judge noted that the charter commission "'removed express wording that allowed the subject of a recall election to be reelected' but they did not expressly forbid it."

Rhode Island: Narragansett Town Council allows recall law to be voted on in 2020

Narragansett Town Council has approved a question allowing a recall law to be voted on in 2020. The impetus was a failure to approve a new library.

The law would require signatures from 25% of turnout in the last election in 60 days in order to get a recall on the ballot.

Idaho: Governors appoints replacement to Dalton Gardens council

The Governor appointed one new member to the Dalton Gardens City Council -- Tyler Dreschel, folloing the recall of three council members Mayor Steve Roberge and Councilmembers Joe Myers and Denise Lundy.

Because the recall removed a majority of the council, the Governor had to appoint one council member. After the council member is appointed and they get a quorum, the council will appoint the fourth member and the mayor.

Maldives: Independent Candidate propose recall law model on UK law

Here

Colorado: Interview with leader of Gun Rights Organization on proposed State legislative recall attempts

Here and here's the discussion of the petitions

Missouri: Terre Du Luc Association Board members facing recall

President Dave Ruble and members Bob Brown and Gary Keithly are facing a recall vote over a meeting to fire the General Manager and remove the position. The recall, which had 160 signatures, argues that the meeting that took place without enough notice to all other directors (one was missing). There are apparently 2800 votes in the development.

Massachusetts: Continued fall out from Fall River recall

Here's a push for ranked choice voting and here's a comparison with Brexit.

Idaho: Elk River Mayor survives recall vote

Mayor Dave Brown survived a recall vote 44-21. The recall claimed to be over accusations of public drunkeness, misuse of city equipment and failing to respond to public safety issues, though Brown said it was over opposition to an all-terrain vehicle fun run. Petitioners needed at least 32 votes (a larger majority than the last election victory) to have the recall count.

Turnout was over 80%.

Florida: Madeira Beach Commissioner who survived recall fight wins reelection

Commissioner John Douthirt, who faced a recall attempt in 2018 that was dismissed by the courts, won his reelection race.

Texas: Killeen Councilwoman loses court case over

Councilwoman Debbie Nash-King was ordered to pay $5800 in court costs and attorney 's fees and a $1500 sanction after her lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order and injunction to stop a petition filed by three people, including Mellisa Brown (who is running against Nash-King in the election on May 4). Brown tried to get a recall against Nash-King, but did not get the signatures.

Colorado: Signatures handed in against Three Cripple Creek-Victory School District Board Members

Petitioners handed in enough signatures to force a recall against  Board President Timothy Braun, Treasurer Dennis Jones and Secretary Tonya Martin over claims of violation of the open record act and possibly a suspension of the superintendent.

Petitioners needed 400 signatures by March 11. They got 444 for Braun, 435 for Jones and 423 for Martin. If they don't get enough signatures, petitioners have another 15 days to get more signatures.

One of the leader was a former Head Start director who lost to Jones by 30 votes in November 2017. A recall would cost about $8500.

Maine: Signatures handed in against Greenwood Selectman

Signatures have been verified against Selectman Arnold Jordan. Petitioners got 43 signatures and needed 41. Petition did not list a reason for the recall

Idaho: Split decision in recall vote, as Dalton Gardens Mayor and two Councilmembers kicked out; two survive

Mayor Steve Roberge (533-461) and Councilmembers Joe Myers (511-479) and Denise Lundy (508-478) lost their seats. Councilmembers Jamie Smith (479-512) and Scott Jordan (463-526) retained their seats. The votes needed to be more than the officials received in their last election -- all of them easily surpassed these totals (which were between 418-110).

The recall was over a proposal to build homes on back area land.  Petitioners need between 110-418 signatures to get on the ballot. Turnout was over 60% (which is supposedly much more than the 15% that usually come out for a Spring vote).

Because the recall removed a majority of the council, the Governor will appoint one council member. After the council member is appointed and they get a quorum, the council will appoint the fourth member and the mayor.

Wisconsin: Merrill Council President and Aldermen facing petitions

Council President Rob Norton and Aldermen Paul Russell, John VanLieshout, Dave Sukow and Tim Meehean are all facing petitions following confusion over a property tax rate increase which was higher than expected (which seems to have been done due to a calculating error).

Update: Signatures were handed in. Petitioners need between 109-134 to get on the ballot.

North Dakota: Arnegard Mayor survives recall vote in recall rerun

Mayor Virginia Elliot survived her recall vote against former Mayor Jeff Kindel, 63-47. Elliot, who has been on the council for more than 20 years and was previously mayor, beat Elliot in June 35-31. The recall claimed that Elliot committed nepotism by hiring her son's construction company. There is also a claim that she is facing an investigation into mail fraud.

Washington, DC: Council member facing recall threat over federal probe into his business

Council Member Jack Evans (D) is facing a recall push over a probe into financial dealings. Adam Eidinger, who has previously worked with Evans on marijuana decriminalization, said he will file this week. He need approximately 5200 signatures (10% of registereds in 180 days).  Evans has been in office for 28 years.

Idaho: Kamiah Councilors recall scheduled for May 21

The recall of Councilors Paul Schlader, Glen Hibbs and Dan Millward has made the ballot and was scheduled for May 21. Petitioners needed 109 signatures and apparently got 110. The recall was led by former city councilor Henry Bailey. The issue is a claim that the members are trying to undermine the mayor and micromanage employees.

The recall has a separate provision where the votes to remove must equal the number of votes the councilors received in the election. For Hibbs it is 170, Schlader, 98 and Milward 161.

Update: The recall was tossed out after the clerk found that not enough signatures were handed in and there was no provision for an extra period to collect.

Mexico: Constitutional Amendment to require a presidential recall halfway through term passes lower house

Mexico is moving forward with its plan to adopt a recall election for President, as President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador says the law would require him to face a recall vote halfway through his term. Obrador originally proposed a recall every two years.

Obrador is disputing the claim that he is trying to use these changes as a way to seek a second term (Mexico limits presidents to a single six year term). The law passed the lower house, but Obrador's supporters do not appear to have the 2/3rds vote needed to get a constitutional amendment passed.

Massachusetts: Fall River Councilman looking for different method to remove Mayor who lost recall, won replacement seat

After losing Mayor Jasiel Correira lost a recall vote this week, but winning the replacement race, the City Councilor Shawn Cadime is pushing to find a different method to remove Correia. Following the election, Correia is being accused of removing two people who ran against him in the replacement race, School Committee Vice Chairman Mark Costa and School Committee member Paul Coogan.

Cadime claims that the Home Rule Charter gives that if there are seven votes to remove by the City Council, the Council President would become acting mayor. It sounds like the City Attorney disagrees with this interpretation.

Idaho: Sugar City Mayor and Councilman survive recall vote

Mayor David Ogden (290-177) and Councilman Brent Barrus (294-167) survived their recall votes on March 12 in a battle over the legal costs for rezoning of property that may result in new apartments and is the cause of a significant battle in town.

Turnout was 52.5% of which 60% were absentee ballots.

Massachusetts: Fall River Mayor loses recall race, but wins replacement election to remain in office

Big development in Fall River. Mayor Jasiel F. Correia II (D), who is under indictment for stealing from investors and tax fraud, lost the recall run overwhelmingly, 7829-4911. However, Massachusetts allows a candidate facing a recall to run in the replacement race (not that uncommon a provision). In this case, Correia was one of five candidates. He came in first with about 35% of the vote, beating out City Councilor Joseph Camara, School Committee member Paul Coogan, School administrator Kyle Riley and Erica Scott-Pacheco. An editorial in the Boston Globe noted this possible result.

While this is an unusual development, it is not unprecedented -- though I will have to search for the same result.

The reason that it is unusual is that having a replacement race where the candidate can run in the replacement race is itself not the standard recall law. Many jurisdictions do not have the "up or down" vote on a recall -- instead they just have a new election for the position, featuring a guaranteed slot for the candidate (Michigan, Wisconsin have this). Some places do not have a replacement race and instead just allow for an appointment to the position (notably Oregon); Rhode Island gave the position to the second place finisher in the last election. California has an up or down vote on the recall, but the candidate is barred from seeking the office in the replacement race.

That said, it is not that uncommon and in fact Fall River almost saw this result a little over four years ago. The city had a recall against then mayor Will Flanagan. Flanagan lost the recall, but came in second in the replacement vote.

 Louisiana proposed changing its law to ban recall loser from running in a replacement race after one such candidate got 1/3rd of the vote after being kicked out (though that candidate did not win). Here's some other examples of candidates running in the replacement race and losing.

Update: In 1982, Mansfield, Massachusetts Selectman John McNair pulled off this exact type of victory (losing the recall, winning the retention race). This was part of a four person recall (over the firing of a town manager). The other three Selectmen, David May, Frank Ciolella and Norman Manhana, lost their seats.  The race is noted in Joseph Zimmerman's The Recall: Tribunal of the People.

Massachusetts: Fall River Mayor may survive recall

Here's a look at Tuesday's recall effort against Mayor Jasiel Correia II, with an examination of Correia's support.  Correia was arrested on federal wire and tax fraud charges for defrauding investors.

California: Hesperia Mayor Pro Tem accuses Councilman of taking part in recall effort

Mayor Pro Tem Bill Holland is facing a recall effort over an investigation into a hazing incident at a high school. Councilman Jeremiah Brosowske is accused of being one of the supporters of the recall effort, and now he is being threatened with a potential recall by a supporter of Holland.

UK: Recall effort against Labour MP estimated to cost about £500,000

If the recall effort against Labour Party MP Fiona Onasanya (Peterborough) gets to the ballot, it is estimated to cost about £500,000 ($650,000).

The recall is after her convicted due to claiming someone else was driving her car when she was caught speeding (11 mph over the limit). Onasanya has already been expelled from the Labour Party and spent three months in jail.  Petitioners would need about 7000 signatures to get on the ballot (10% of voters).

Idaho: Kooskia Mayor recall gets the signatures

Petitioners seem to have enough signatures to get the recall against Mayor Charlotte Schilling on the ballot. The recall was over her position on Kooskia Ambulance and was led by the former Kooskia Ambulance President Wayne Finehout.

Petitioners submitted 76 signatures and got 66 validated. They needed 45 signatures. No word yet on a special election date.

Idaho: Sugar City Mayor and Councilman up for recall vote on March 12

Mayor David Ogden and Councilman Brent Barrus will be facing a recall vote on March 12 over legal costs for rezoning of property that may result in new apartments and is the cause of a significant battle in town.

Colorado: Postcards sent calling for recall of Estes Park Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem

Postcards were sent to the Trail-Gazette newspaper calling for the recall of Mayor Todd Jirsa and Mayor Pro Tem Cody Walker. Both officials had petitions taken out against them in 2017, though nothing came of it. There is a group called Estes Park Recall 2019, but they claim no knowledge of the cards. It is not clear what the issues for a recall are.

Colorado: House Minority Leader's brother running "Recall Colorado" site targeting Democrats

House Minority Leader Patrick Neville has been threatening to recall Democrats, and apparently his brother's consulting firm has built a "Recall Colorado" website. The site is focused on Senator Jeff Bridges (D) and Representative Meg Froelich (D), with a claim of the National Popular Vote as a reason, though the website apparently also lists other issues such as Comprehensive Sex Education, Extreme Risk Protection Order firearm removal and the Protect Public Welfare Oil and Gas Operations. Neville apparently started discussing recalls over the bipartisan safe injection site bill (over opioids).

Maine: Injunction preventing scheduling of recall against three Ogunquit Selectmen lifted

A judge lifted his temporary injunction stopping the scheduling of a recall against Selectmen Madeline Mooney, Charles Waite III and Robert Winn.

The injunction is based on a claim that the petitions and signatures are invalid because one of the petitioners isn't a resident (courts have held that petitioners do not have to be a resident to be allowed to collect signatures). The recall is for the three selectmen's support of the town manager's decision to fire the Fire Chief.  Petitioners handed in over 300 signatures. They needed 215 valids and got 253-257.

UK: Recall moves forward against Labour MP jailed for speeding

Following a rejection of her appeal of her conviction, recall petitions will be taken out against Labour Party MP Fiona Onasanya after she claimed someone else was driving her car when she was caught speeding (11 mph over the limit). Onasanya has already been expelled from the Labour Party and spent three months in jail.  Petitioners would need about 7000 signatures to get on the ballot (10% of voters).

Arizona: Phoenix City Councilman recall delayed by Superior Court judge

The recall election against Phoenix City Councilman Michael Nowakowski (D), which was set for May 21,  has been stopped in a lawsuit filed by Nowakowski's sister claiming that the PAC missed three requirements in submitting the petitions.

The recall is over a vote to study and potentially delay a light rail expansion. Nowakowski was previously threatened with a recall over same-sex marriage and transgender bathroom issues. Petitioners handed in 2361 signatures and needed 1331.

North Carolina: Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board members facing recall effort

Chairwoman Margaret Samuels has resigned after the announcement of a recall attempt against her and Board Members James Barrett and Pat Heinrich over a decision to make one existing school a Mandarin language magnet school. Petitioners needed 10% of turnout in 30 days to get on the ballot. The recall would be filled by appointment and all three are up for reelection in the fall (one is running for state school superintendent in 2000 instead).

No word on the other two board members.

Chapel-Hill is one of only two school boards to allow recalls in the state (the law was passed in 1993). Also of note is that 24 North Carolina cities allow for recalls.

California:Pasadena Councilman recall seems to have failed

The recall attempt against Councilman Victor Gordo seems to have failed. The recall was led by a closed marijuana operation. Petitioners needed about 2000 signatures. The original petition to start the process was signed by 88 people, of whom only 35 actually lived in the district (they only needed 25).

Update: Petitioners continue to have trouble getting past the first stage

Colorado: Two Democratic state legislators facing petitions over support for national popular vote compact

Senator Jeff Bridges (D) and Representative Meg Froelich (D) are facing recall petitions over their support for a bill that would have Colorado join the national popular vote compact (a backdoor way to eliminate the Electoral College). Petitioners would need 19703 signatures for Bridges and 9587 for Froelich, all in 60 days.

There has also been discussion of a recall against Governor Jared Polis, which would need more than 631,000 signatures.

California: Dixie School District Board Member facing recall effort

School Board member Marnie Glickman is facing a recall effort over a push to change the name of the district. Petitioners would need 2851 signatures.

Nevada: Senator who faced recall effort named Majority Leader

Nevada Senate Majority Leader Kelvin Atkinson (D) resigned after admitting to misusing campaign funds. He is replaced as leader by Senator Nicole Cannizaro (D), who was facing recall petitions launched by Republicans. The Cannizaro recall was rejected and the state Supreme Court just heard oral arguments as to whether the recall should be allowed to go forward.

California: Rerun -- ousted state Senator Josh Newman to run for old seat

Former state Senator Josh Newman (D), who was kicked out in a recall in June 2018 with 58% against, will run for the seat in the 2020 election, presumably against Senator Ling Ling Chang (R), who was selected as Newman's replacement in the recall. This will be the third go-round for the two, as Newman beat Chang in 2016 by 2498 votes. (Chang did not technically run against Newman in the recall -- the vote was an up or down against Newman, with Chang selected in a same day replacement vote).

The recall was launched over a gas tax and the Republicans push to deprive Democrats of a 2/3rds supermajority in the Senate. The Democrats quickly recapture the supermajority in the fall elections.

Nevada: Supreme Court to hear appeal on State Senate recall effort

Oral arguments were heard on the issue of whether signers of a recall attempt can remove their names from a petition. A lower court tossed out signatures in the recall attempts against Senators Joyce Woodhouse and Nicole Cannizzaro. The recall was an attempt by Republicans to gain a majority in the chamber. There is some debate over whether the signatures would have been enough anyway, but the Republicans are pushing for an immediate election if the court holds that the signatures cannot be struck out.

Note that a similar provision in California allowed Newport Beach Councilman Scott Peotter to escape a recall attempt  in 2017.

California: Dublin School Board member who faced failed recall effort resigns

School Trustee Dan Cunningham, who faced a recall effort over various development issues in 2017-2018, has resigned. Petitioners failed Cunningham to get enough signatures at the time -- they handed in 6874, they needed 5409 and got 5266.

Nevada: Las Vegas Councilman resigns in face of recall effort

Councilman Steve Seroka (D) resigned in the face of a recall over claims of an anti-development stance, specifically his opposition to developing homes on a golf course.One of the construction unions that supported Seroka in his election was a big backer of the recall.

Petitions had not been handed in yet, but they needed 1850 signatures (of voters who voted in Seroka's last election) by March 11.

Former Assemblywoman Victoria Seaman (R) supported the recall effort and announced that she would run against Seroka. effort. She is asking for a special election rather than an appointment.

Massachusetts: Greenfield Councillor recall stopped over affidavit question

The first recall attempt against Councilor Verne Sund has been rejected. Petitioners handed in 100 signatures to move forward, but the City Attorney found that the signatures were not signed with the under penalty of perjury provision included. Petitioners would need about 2,346 signatures in 21 days. The recall is over public comments, most recently about the disabled and minorities  and failure to respond to constituents.

Michigan: Two of three petitions for Mills Township Board recall rejected by Election Commission

Petitions against Township Supervisor Daniel Bloom was rejected, as was one against Treasurer Sara Pitch over clarity issues. A third petition against Pitch is being looked at. The recall has been over a failure to be on top of embezzlement charges against the former clerk.