Minnesota: Petitioners pull Two Harbors Mayor recall signatures over anonymity concerns; will restart effort

A lawsuit filed in the Two Harbors Mayor Chris Swanson recall effort has led to petitioners pulling the petition over a potential loss of anonymity for any signers. The suit seeks to require the signatures be revealed. Petitioners claim they have 970 signatures for the recall They need about 450 valids. They are going to try again.

We've seen the issue of anonymity crop up before, with California using anonymity and preventing the revelation of any names of signers and Wisconsin taking the opposite route, leading to problems for some signers. 

The recall is seemingly over claims that Swanson used a podcast to discuss an underwater hotel in Lake Superior, thereby using his title as mayor to attract investors, and plans to fund city projects with cryptocurrency. 

There is a separate suit by a Republican County official asking the recall to be tossed out over Minnesota's strict malfeasance standard/judicial recall rules, which has led nearly all petitions (but one!) that I've seen have been rejected at that stage. The City Attorney wrote an opinion that he used the position for personal benefit, which could allow them to overcome the malfeasance standard. Interesting provision in the charter -- if there are less than two years in the term, the council appoints a replacement. If there are more, than there is a special election.