Washington: Judge allows Seattle Mayor recall petition to move forward

A judge has rejected a motion by Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan (D) to reconsider an approved recall petition over the police reaction to the protests surrounding the killing of George Floyd. 

Washington is a malfeasance standard state, so a judge had to approval the petitions saying the language reached the for cause statutory definition.  The judge threw out six of seven charges, leaving in the one regarding using chemical agents to disburse crowds.

Petitioners would need over 56,000 signatures to get on the ballot (25% of turnout).

There was a second petition, which claimed that the curfew was set too quickly without giving protesters enough time to get away. 

Nevada: Petitioners handed in 567 signatures in recall effort against Las Vegas City Councilwoman

Petitioners have submitted 567 signatures against Las Vegas Councilwoman Michele Fiore (R), which is the amount collected in the first 45 days of petitioning (the recall effort has 90 days to collect the signatures). Petitioners need 1911 to get on the ballot. 

The recall was launched over racially charged comments Fiore made at a Republican Convention as well as her backing of converting an historic hay barn into an events center at Floyd Lamb State Park.

Kenya: Ward Representatives challenge new recall law

Here

Washington: Judge approves petitions against Thurston County Sheriff over failure to enforce masking requirements

A Superior Court Judge has approved the petitions against Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza over his refusal to enforce the state's masking requirements to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Washington is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state and requires a judge to find that the official violated one of the for cause requirements to let a recall go forward. 

Snaza may still appeal the decision. A Snohmish County Sheriff is also facing petitions for failing to enforce masking rules. 

Petitioners need 23,027 signatures in 180 days. 

Update: Snaza has appealed to the Supreme Court, who are set to consider the appeal in December. 

Texas: Petitions filed against Big Spring Mayor

Petitions have been filed against Big Spring Mayor Shannon Thomason over claims that she threatened business permits after the petitioners family member filed a lawsuit against the City. Petitioners need 747 signatures (35% of turnout) in 30 days. 

California: Solvang City Council recall set for Election Day

The recall election against Solvang City Council Chris Djernaes will take place on Election Day.  Djernaes voted in favor of a proposed project that would remove the Veteran's Hall and replace it with a plaza as well as complaints about his behavior at meetings. Petitioners have handed  1342 signatures, and got 1156. They needed 920 signatures to get on the ballot.

A former County Sheriff has announced that he may run if the recall gets on the ballot. No word yet on when the recall will take place.

Minnesota: Second petition filed against Governor over stay in place rules

A second petition was filed against Governor Tim Walz (D), once again over shelter-in-place rules instituted to fight the spread of the coronavirus. This petition has more specificity. 

The first petitions filed against Walz was rejected by the Minnesota Supreme Court. Minnesota is a malfeasance standard state and would require petitioners to meet a stringent requirement of malfeasance to get on the ballot. Minnesota has generally reject all recalls since its state law was approved in 1996. However, in 2018 there was a recall against Tracy Councilman Tony Peterson (he survived the vote).

If approved, petitioners would need about 646,000 signatures to get on the ballot.

Oklahoma: McAlester Mayor and Council members facing recall threat over vote in favor face covering

McAlester Mayor John Browne and City Councilmembers Cully Stevens, James Brown and Zach Prichard are facing petition threats over their vote to require protective face covering law to combat coronavirus. 

Browne has since said that he will try to remove a $100 fine provision from the law that requires faces to be covered in public settings in order to fight the pandemic. 

Oklahoma: Norman City Councilmember resigns as signature gathering continues

City Councilwoman Sereta Wilson, one of four Norman officials facing recall efforts, has resigned before the August 14 deadline to turn in signatures. Norman Mayor Breea Clark and City Council members Kate Bierman, Alison Petrone and Stephen Holman are all still facing petitions (the earliest date for a special election would be January 12, 2021). 

The recall is over a vote to cut the police department's proposed budget by $865,000 (it appears not to be an actual cut -- the police wanted a big increase and got only a smaller one). There are also complaints about the council's push to require masks to stave off the coronavirus.

Petitioners would need 25% of registered voters in 30 days. The recall of Clark would require over 18,000 signatures.

Georgia: Guyton Mayor facing recall threats after saying "your input is not necessary" to citizen

Guyton Mayor Russ Deen is facing recall threats after trying to limit public participation into the online council meetings. Deen told one citizen that "your input is not necessary..." in a Republic form of government (outside of their vote for the elected official.  Georgia is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state, so a judge would have to approve the recall. Deen was elected last year.

Update: The effort has been dropped. 

California: Solvang City Council member recall gets the signatures

Petitioners have handed in enough signatures to get the recall of Solvang City Council Chris Djernaes on the ballot.  Djernaes voted in favor of a proposed project that would remove the Veteran's Hall and replace it with a plaza as well as complaints about his behavior at meetings. Petitioners handed in 1342 signatures, and got 1156. They needed 920 signatures to get on the ballot. 

A former County Sheriff has announced that he may run if the recall gets on the ballot. No word yet on when the recall will take place.

Massachusetts: Swampscott Selectman facing petitions over criticism of Black Lives Matter

Petitioners failed to hand in enough signatures in the recall of Swampscott Selectman Donald Hause over his alleged criticism of the Black Lives Matters movement which was overheard at a bar. Petitioners needed 1708 signatures by July 22, they claim to have gotten 374. 

Malaysia: Proposal to introduce recall elections law to stop party hopping

Here and here.

California: City of Industry Councilman loses recall election in 35-0 vote

City of Industry Councilman Abraham Cruz did not receive a vote in his favor in the recall election on July 21, losing 35-0. He was replaced by Planning Commissioner Michael Greubel, who started the recall effort.

Due to the particular workings of the unusual city, Cruz fully expected that he would lose and also be evicted. The City of Industry rarely has elections (it was its first recall) and Cruz, who was appointed to his seat and has never been on the ballot.

Nearly all housing in Industry is controlled by either the City or one family that has significant power. They can evict tenants who make up the voting block.

Greubel started the recall effort over Cruz allegedly assisting others in a lawsuit against the city. The lawsuit is over a solar farm which has been shut down and there is an attempt to restart it. Cruz claims the recall is being brought after he attempted to shine a light on a corruption suit. He was censured by the city council over a meeting with the former city manager, a former employee and a former state Senator.

Wisconsin: Spider Lake Town Chairman Recall set for August 11

The recall of Spider Lake Town Chairman John Leighton is set for August 11 (the state-wide primary date). Town Supervisor Tim Sheldon will be facing off against Leighton.

Georgia: Op-ed looking at recall elections in Georgia

I wrote this piece for the Fulton County Daily Report on the chances for a recall of the Waycross Circuit District Attorney. 

Alaska: Former Haines Assembly member writes book about time in office and recall election that she survived

Former Haines Assembly member Heather Lende has written a book about her time in office and the 2017 recall. She credits the failure of the recall proponents to show up to a forum as the critical campaign moment. At the time, three Haines Assembly members, Tresham Gregg (433-616), Heather Lende (405-644) and Tom Morphet (440-611) all survived recall votes. The recall was claimed to be about a violation of open meeting laws and coercion of the local police chief.

New Zealand: Rate hikes leads to call for adoption of recall election law

Here

Update: More here

Ohio: Further information on potential Toledo City Council recall

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz and Attorney General Dave Yost are now looking to suspend Toledo Councilmembers Larry Sykes (D), Gary Johnson (D), Yvonne Harper (D) and Tyrone Riley (D), who have been arrested on federal bribery charges.

So far, there hasn't been an organized recall effort. Signatures are 25% of turnout for the office, but there are complications. Harper and Riley were both elected in 2019, which means they haven't hit the end of their one year grace period where no recalls can be held. 

Additionally,  Johnson won an at-large seat, so the total signatures needed is not clear. By comparison, Harper's seat would only need about 650. 

Update: Three of the four (Sykes, Harper and Riley) have agreed to a suspension. 

Washington: Deputy Sheriff Guild votes to start recall effort against Benton County Sheriff

Petitions have now been filed against Benton County Sheriff Jerry Hatcher, with the Deputy Sheriff's Guild membership leading the way. An independent investigator found that Hatcher retaliated against a whistleblower and two witnesses and engaged in anti-union activity.

Hatcher also has run into personal issues with his wife filing a civil protection order claiming that he choked her during a fight over his extramarital affairs. The order meant he had to surrender his firearm. He also was previously charged with felony witness tampering and assault, though chargers were dismissed.

Since Washington is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state, petitioners will need to have a valid cause of action, which will clearly be some of these allegations.

Oklahoma: Norman Mayor and city council recalls face August 14 deadline

The recall efforts against Norman Mayor Breea Clark and City Council members Kate Bierman, Alison Petrone, Sereta Wilson and Stephen Holman is facing an August 14 deadline, and the earliest date for a special election would be January 12, 2021. The recall would also result in preventing the council from having a quorum, which could result in a problem in voting to schedule a replacement race.

The recall is over a vote to cut the police department's proposed budget by $865,000 (it appears not to be an actual cut -- the police wanted a big increase and got only a smaller one). There are also complaints about the council's push to require masks to stave off the coronavirus.

Petitioners would need 25% of registered voters in 30 days. The recall of Clark would require over 18,000 signatures.

California: Turlock City Council member facing petitions as signature & time requirements depend on interesting state law

Turlock City Council member Andrew Nosrati is facing a recall effort over a kitchen sink list of complaints, including about prioritizing regional rail transit, homeless mitigation projects, civility and social media complaints, news media and the odd catch-all of furthering his "personal political agenda." Norati says that the petitioners are engaging in "theatrical politics."

The amount of signatures and time requirement are up in the area, depending on how many registered voters are in the District. In 2018, there were 9,632. If the total is over 10000, petitioners will have 120 days to collect 20% of those. If it is under 10000, than they have 90 days to collect 25 percent.

Update: The recall is still ongoing, though there is now also a move to censure Nosrati. 

Oregon; Garibaldi City Council member ousted in recall vote

Garibaldi Council Member Paul Daniels appears to have been ousted in a recall vote, 187-129, with a 46% turnout.

Idaho: Recall effort ongoing against Heyburn Mayor

Heyburn Mayor Mark Rosa is facing of a recall effort over complaints of a hostile environment, overstepping financial authority trying to stop a sewer improvement project and trying to get funds to pay for an attorney to sue the city.

Petitioners need 230 signatures to get on the ballot.

Tennessee: Williamson County Board of Education members not able to face recall effort

The Election Commission has ruled that the Williamson County Board of Education members will not face a recall effort. The recall is over a reopening requirement that students and teachers wear masks. Under the charter law, the county officials cannot have a recall.

Colorado: Greenwood Village City Councilmember facing recall effort

Greenwood Village City Councilman Dave Bullock is facing a recall effort after he and the council vote for a bill opposing state plans for making police officers personally responsible for up to $25,000 in fines if they did something illegal or in bad faith.

Tennessee: Nashville Mayor and 32 Metro Councilmembers facing petitions over property tax hike

Nashville Mayor John Cooper and 32 Metro Council members (who are not named), are facing a petition over their vote for a 34 percent property tax hike. Petitioners appear to need about 68,000 signatures.

Update: The petition drive has failed. 

California: Seaside City Councilmember facing petitions

Seaside City Councilmember Jon Wizard is facing a recall effort over his support for the Black Life Matters movement and for budget cuts, including the police budget. Wizard has announced that he is trying to replace the mayor. Petitioners need 2735 signatures in 120 days.

Nebraska: Humboldt Mayor facing petitions

Humboldt Mayor Bob Mendenhall is facing a recall effort following strict cost control program. Petitioners need 113 signatures by July 31 to get on the ballot.

Idaho: Boise Mayor and City Council member facing petitions

Petitioners are now targeting both Boise Mayor Lauren McLean (D) and Councilmember Lisa Sanchez for a recall after six months in office. Petitioners originally focused on the shutdowns that have occurred as part of the pandemic response. They have now included a larger list, focused on a transition team report, which they call a "radical agenda" (citing discussion of sanctuary city, abortions and sex ed).

Petitioners would need 26,108 signatures in 75 days and must top the amount of votes cast for the office. In McLean's case, they would need 23,669 and Sanchez would need 9,244 votes.

There is also an attempt to recall Governor Brad Little.

Tennessee: Judge ends Jackson-Madison School Board recall

A Chancery Court Judge has held against the constitutionality of a recall effort against Jackson-Madison County School Board member Doris Black.

The Chancery Court Judge has previously stopped the recall effort, which was scheduled to begin early voting on November 20 and end on December 10. Previously, State Attorney General Herbert Slatery III had raised constitutional questions of Madison County's Recall law.

Slatery called into question the fact the state bill that approved the recall for Madison County only involves a "narrow population bracket" -- counties with populations between 98,200 and 98,300, which is only Madison -- as well as the severability provision (if part of the bill is found illegal, the rest can be severed and survive).

The recall is taking place just after Governor signed a law allowing recalls in the Madison County Board of Education members. There is no replacement race if Black is removed. It would be an appointment to fill the slot.

The recall effort seemed to be over her opposition to the Superintendent's 10-year plan, though there is now a different list of complaints.

In addition to Black, Chairman Kevin Alexander and Janice Hampton were both facing recall efforts.

Oregon: State GOP claims momentum in new recall effort against Governor

A second recall effort against Oregon Governor Kate Brown (D) by the Oregon Republicans claims to have collected about 131,000 signatures. Brown's push for the coronavirus shutdown, that seems to have help prevent a recurrence in Oregon, is one of the new motivators for the recall, though since the GOP has been launching recalls since her first day, this seems more like the latest reason.

Last year, two attempts, including one led by Republican leaders, both failed.

Petitioners need to hand in 280,050 valid signatures. Last year, the GOP claims to have fallen short by 10%, though since they were not checked, the number is not particularly useful. A second petiton claimed to have 23,926 pages of signatures, but clearly missed the total.

Brown herself is term limited.

Bill Currier, the chairman of the State Republican Party, filed the original recall papers against Governor Kate Brown (D). Another petition was also filed by a local resident, focusing on homeless issues.

Oregon, the first state to adopt the recall for state-level officials way back in 1908, has had recalls against three state legislators, but never a Governor. Brown actually got the job when her predecessor John Kitzhaber faced a recall threat.

What is perhaps most noteworthy is that Oregon's recall law does not provide for the election of a replacement. Replacements are instead "filed immediately in the manner provided by law for filing a vacancy in that office arising from any other cause." 

This has led to serious questions of who would replace Brown.

California: Long Beach Mayor facing petition effort

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia is facing a recall effort over what seems to be his receiving political donations from police association groups. Petitioner would need about 26,500 signatures to get on the ballot.

California: Two Stockton School District Board Members facing recall efforts

Stockton School District Board Members Maria Mendez and Scot McBrian are facing recall efforts following the departure of the Superintendent and the board's attempt to hire a former Superintendent as a consultant. Petitioners need 2300 signatures to get on the ballot.

Washington:Judge approves one petition in Seattle Mayor recall

A petition has been approved by a judge against Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan over the police reaction to the protests surrounding the killing of George Floyd. Washington is a malfeasance standard state, so a judge had to approval the petitions saying the language reached the for cause statutory definition.  The judge threw out six of seven charges, leaving in the one regarding using chemical agents to disburse crowds.

Petitioners would need over 56,000 signatures to get on the ballot (25% of turnout).

There was a second petition, which claimed that the curfew was set too quickly without giving protesters enough time to get away. No word on that one yet.

Ohio: Four Toledo City Council member

Toledo Councilmembers Larry Sykes, Gary Johnson, Yvonne Harper and Tyrone Riley, who have been arrested on federal bribery charges, are being threatened by Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz with suspension if they do not resign. The article also mentions recall possibilities.

Kiowa Tribe: Chairman facing recall push

Kiowa Tribe Chairman Matthew Komalty is facing a recall effort over Covid relief checks and a removal of $6 million and a hist of other complaints. Petitioners need 1511 signatures by September 23.

Update: There's also a push to impeach him.

Comanche Nation: Seven Comanche Nation Business Committee members facing recall efforts

All seven members of the Comanche Nation Business Committee are facing recall efforts over questions of the distribution of coronavirus relief funds, gaming compacts and casino revenue. The lead petitioners has filed 23 recall attempt in 30 years. Petitioners need 1266 signatures by September 16.

Montana: Judge temporarily halts Stevensville Mayor recall set for August 4

A Judge has temporarily halted the recall of Stevensville Mayor Brandon Dewey, which is set for August 4. Dewey is facing the recall over a contract for services with a tech provider. Dewey is arguing that the recall does not meet the state's malfeasance standard. The judge is hearing arguments on whether to allow the recall to continue.

The claim is that the $79,800 contract wasn't approved by the City Council. There was also petitions filed five petitions filed against Dewey from 2018-2019, though none met the state's malfeasance standard and all were tossed.

Update: The Election Commission has stated that it will not be able to get the recall on the August 4th ballot with the delay. It would have to be registered for November.

Ohio: Barberton Mayor facing recall effort

Barberton Mayor William Judge is facing a recall push after the loss of an industrial manufacturer. This stories doesn't make it clear how many signatures are needed, though petitioner claims it is about 800. The lead petitioner is former city council candidate Kim Trenary. If the recalled, the City Council President becomes Mayor until the next election.

Update: The requirement that signers voted in the previous election seems to have slowed the collection effort.

California: Visalia School Board President facing recall effort

Visalia School Board President John Crabtree is facing recall efforts which may be over the shut down of schooling during the pandemic, though the petitions focus on a failure to build a fifth high school and an inability to adopt a balanced budget. Petitioners would need over 2,400 signatures in 120 days.

Update: No signatures were handed in. 

Ohio: Columbus Mayor recall effort fails

The effort to recall Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has failed. Petitioners claim that they got over 10,000 signatures, though there is also claims that only about 57% of those were valid. They need 12,359 signatures in 30 days. The recall is over complaints of treatment of developers and campaign donors and low income housing. The Police Chief is also under fire.

Alaska: Three Throne Bay Councilmembers appear to survive recall vote

The recall efforts against Thorne Bay Councilmembers Roger Longbotham, Roslyn Hert and Eric Rhodes appears to have failed after mail-in ballots were counted. The recall was over the suspension of the City Administrator (he later resigned). There is also a claim that the Rhodes violated the Open Meetings Act.

Early votes saw the recall leading, but mail-in ballots are showing a different story. So far, the votes against the recall are 112-92, 107-95 and 106-98.

Michigan: Petition seeking recall of Grosse Pointe School Board members rejected on clarity ground

Petitions language filed against Grosse Pointe School Board President Magaret Weertz and Trustee Chris Lee has been rejected on clarity grounds. The complaint focused on contract votes to reconfigure schools and renew the superintendent's contract. According to the board members, the vote took place after the district shrunk in size. Petitioners need 7646 signatures to get on the ballot. They would need it by the end of the July to get on the November ballot.

New Jersey: Northern Valley School Board Member facing recall threats over blackface photo

Northern Valley School Board member Dan Eller is facing calls to resign after photos of him wearing blackface at a Halloween Party 12 years ago have surfaced. Eller was 18 at the time. Seven of the nine board members also called for Eller to resign. No word on how many signatures would be needed.

Update: Eller resigned in July

Mississippi: Lowndes County facing possible recall threats over racist comments

Lowndes County Supervisor Harry Sanders calls to resign and recall threats after racists comments during a board meeting.

Mississippi is one of the few states that do not have a recall law, but there is apparently an option that would allow voters to petition the governor to allow a recall vote. I'm looking to find out more about this provision.

Wisconsin: Madison Mayor facing recall effort

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway is facing a recall effort over a kitchen sink of issues, including budget shortfalls, a wheel tax and the handling of recent protests. Petitioners would need about 36,000 signatures to get on the ballot.

Update: The signature gathering effort failed. 

Washington: Two separate petitions filed in Seattle Mayor recall

Two separate petitions have been filed against Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan over the police reaction to the protests surrounding the killing of George Floyd. Petitioners would need over 54,000 signatures to get on the ballot (25% of turnout). Since Washington is a malfeasance standard state, there would need to be a showing of cause that meets the statutory definition. As we've seen, this is a high bar.

One petition is about the police reaction in dispersing protesters. The other claims that the curfew was set too quickly without giving protesters enough time to get away.

California: Former Hughson Mayor, who was recalled in 2010, arrested

Former Hughson Mayor Thomas Crowder, who was recalled with two city council members in 2010, was arrested for impersonating a California Highway Patrol officer in a suspected DUI crash. The recall was over a move to fire the City Manager.

Texas: Levelland Mayor facing petitions over sharing of racist Facebook posts

Levelland Mayor Barbra Pinner is facing a recall petitions after she shared racist Facebook posts. Pinner has since apologized. Petitioners need 735 signatures to get a recall on the ballot.

Taiwan: Zhonghua Village Chief removed in recall vote

Zhonghua Village Chief Hsu Cheng-tung was kicked out in a recall vote (257-137) over his backing of a proposal to launch a clay and silica rock mining project.

Georgia: Three Blackshear Council members facing petition threat

Blackshear Council members Linda Gail Dennison, Shawn Godwin and Timmy Sapp are facing recall petitions, with the council holding a hearing on the charges. Two former mayors have signed the petitions. The issue appears to be their initial opposition to the hiring of the City Clerk. There's also a kitchen sink of other complaints over meeting attendance, open meeting violations and claims of censorship on social media.

Georgia is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state, so a showing of cause is needed. Petitioners would need 67, 97 or 112 signatures to get on the ballot.