Nebraska: Plattsmouth School Board member recall effort fails

The recall effort against Plattsmouth School Board Member Terri Cunningham-Swanson failed, as petitioners handed in 749 signatures and 625 were validated. Not clear how many were needed. 

The recall was over her support for a book ban policy. 

Michigan: Ammunition store selling bullets calling for recall of state House member

This is against State House Representative Jamie Churches (D). The store is running into campaign finance related questions over whether this is a violation of the requirement to reveal who is paying for campaign material.

Nebraska: Signatures handed in against four Sargent School Board Members

Signatures were handed in against Sargent School Board members Martin Riddle, Loyd Pointer, Laura Kipp and Tammera Moody over the board's vote to not renew the contact of a principal. 

Petitioners need 95 signatures (35% of the highest vote total of any candidate in the last election). No word yet on how many were submitted.

Nebraska: Petitions taken out against Box Butte County Public Defender

Petitions have been taken out against Box Butte County Public Defender Enet Somers-Dehaney over complaints about incompetence. 

Petitioners would need 961 signatures (35% of turnout) in 30 days.

Oregon: Cottage Grove City Councilors facing petitions

Petitions have been taken out against Cottage Grove City Councilors John Stinnett, Mike Fleck and Chalice Savage over the city's homeless policy. Petitioners need 654 signatures by October 23. 

Washington: Replacement chosen for Richland School Board

Lindsay Lightner has been appointed to fill one of the three school board seats that are empty following the Richland School Board recall. This ends the quorum problem.

Maine: Windham to vote on recall law -- (Updated: It Passed)

Windham voters will be deciding on a referendum to adopt a recall law. The law will have 10% of gubernatorial turnout and will have an interim replacement vote. It will also bar the official from holding office for two years.

The town council tried to pass an alternative recall law, with higher signature requirements 15%, a turnout minimum (25% -- an absentee veto provision), and an automatic replacement model rather than a vote, but failed to agree. 

Update: Another attempt to put the alternative Council led effort failed. 

Update 2: The Proposition passed, 3348-2524

Idaho: West Bonner School Board Members ousted

West Bonner School Board Chair Keith Rutledge and Trustee Susan Brown were both ousted in the August 29 recall election, with Rutledge losing 762-454 (63-37%) and Brown losing 624-322 (66-34%). Turnout greatly exceeded the results from their original election in 2021.

Idaho has a "Queen of the Hill" provision, which would required a recall to not only win the vote, but top the total number of votes in favor of the candidate in the last election. In that race, Rutledge and Brown received 485 and 359 votes.

The recall is over a 3-2 vote to approve the appointment of former State Senator Branden Durst as the new school superintendent, despite him not having the qualifications to serve (he needs to have worked in a school for four years -- the board declared an emergency to allow it). Durst, a former Democrat who switched parties and ran for the Republican nomination for State Superintendent (he lost). Durst is seen as part of a "far-right takeover" of the schools.

Oregon: State Representative recall makes the ballot for October 3

The recall election of State Representative Paul Holvey (D) has made the ballot and is scheduled for October 3, after petitioners handed in a second batch of signatures following the invalidation of huge number of signatures.

In July, 6600 signatures were handed, with petitioners needing 4598 to get on the ballot and petitioners have more than a month (August 21) to add to the total. Only 2610 were validated. Petitioners then handed in another 3939 signature, of which 2445 were validated (they needed 1988). In total 8629 signatures were handed in and 5055 were validated, a 58.5% validation rate (though it is possible there were duplicates between the first and second group).

The Holvey recall is not a partisan fight, rather it is being launch by one of the most powerful unions in the state, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555. Holvey is the Chair of the House Committee on Business and Labor.

The recall is over Holvey's failure to support a bill blocking cannabis employers from interfering with employee efforts to unionize. Holvey believed that it was preempted by federal law. Holvey was a former union representative and he notes that the state's largest union and others are backing Holvey in fighting the recall effort.

Idaho: West Bonner School Board Members recall seeing potential double turnout from original election

The recall election set for August 29 against West Bonner School Board Chair Keith Rutledge and Trustee Susan Brown is seeing huge turnout in the early going, with the county clerk expecting double the votes of their original victory in 2021.

Rutledge and Brown received 485 and 359 votes. Over 300 votes were cast with a week to go. The total number of voters in the area is 3411.

The recall is over a 3-2 vote to approve the appointment of former State Senator Branden Durst as the new school superintendent, despite him not having the qualifications to serve (he needs to have worked in a school for four years -- the board declared an emergency to allow it). Durst, a former Democrat who switched parties and ran for the Republican nomination for State Superintendent (he lost). Durst is seen as part of a "far-right takeover" of the schools.

Petitioners needed 243 signatures for Rutledge and 180 for Brown. No word yet on how many were handed in/rejected. 

Idaho has a "Queen of the Hill" provision, which would required a recall to not only win the vote, but top the total number of votes in favor of the candidate in the last election. Voters need 245 votes to kick out Rutledge and 177 to remove Brown. 

Nebraska: Dawes County Commissioner recall failed

The recall effort against Dawes County Commissioner Vic Rivera has failed, with petitioners handing in only 71 signatures. They needed 207. The recall was over complaints about mismanagement and interfering with past and present employee relationships.

Nebraska: Another Crofton Councilmember recall makes the ballot

Another recall has made the ballot in Crofton. Petitioners have handed in enough signatures for the recall of Councilmember Larry Peitz. Petitioners handed in 71 signatures, they got 64 valids and needed 63. 

The recall election of Crofton Councilmember James Murphy has been scheduled for September 12, but the clerk said that one can't be scheduled the same day for Peitz. A recall against Mayor Bob Evans failed. The recalls seem to be about a police chief and officer firing (or nonrenewal). The former police chief took out the petitions against Evans and Peitz.

Petitioners needed 63 signatures for Murphy and got 67 valid ones. Petitioners need 127 for the mayoral recall.

The recall is about the firing of the police chief and claims that he did not show up for meetings (Murphy argues that he missed two meetings in 2 1/2 years), as well as votes against hiring a special CPA firm or fixing roads and the claim that "he has no opinions on important matters."

Michigan: Petition language approved against additional House member; Attorney for targeted members argues that it is an organized effort

New developments in the recall efforts against eight Michigan House members. The attorney for the Democratic members told the State Board of Canvassers that this is an organized effort, not a grassroots one. Additionally, petitions have been approved against House member Sharon MacDonell.

Previously, revised petitions were submitted against four Democratic Michigan House members, Jennifer Conlin, Betsy Coffia, Reggie Miller and Noah Arbit.

Petition language was previously rejected in seven of eight filings against these four, as well as Sharon MacDonell (D) and Jamie Churches (D) and Republican Donni Steele (R). It would not be a surprise if petitions are refiled against these three as well.

A petition against Republican Representative Cam Cavitt was approved. Cavitt's recall language was over his vote in favor of electing Representative Joe Tate as speaker. 

The six Democrats are targeted over votes in favor of red flag laws to remove guns from people who are considered extreme risks (Coffia and MacDonell) and hate crimes legislation (Conlin, Miller and Churches). The petitions did not spell this out, which resulted in their rejection. Steele (R) is also facing a recall effort over her vote in favor of a bill requiring safe storage of guns when not in use.

While the petition language is over these bills and votes, most believe the recall is due to the fact that the Democrats have a narrow 56-54 majority in the House, leading petitioners to think they can gain control of the chamber with recalls. 

Recalls to flip a chamber are not unusual and have actually worked, though the longer term implications are frequently poor. Recalls in Washington in 1981, Michigan in 1983, California in 1995, Wisconsin in 1996, Wisconsin in 2011, 2012, Colorado in 2013 and attempts in Colorado and Nevada in 2019 all had this goal. In Michigan, California and Wisconsin (1996), recalls actually resulted in change of control, though only the Michigan one stuck (Democrats have been out of power in the Michigan Senate for nearly 40 years, ending this last election.

Michigan has also had four state legislative elections, in 1983, 2008 and 2011. Three of the four led to removal.

Two more Michigan House Representatives are facing recall efforts, bringing the total ongoing recall attempts to eight. 

The anti-voting movement? Atlantic article decries too many elected offices, NYT looks at Sortition

Two articles are now out going after voting. The Atlantic's Jerusalem Desmas argues that Americans vote too much, with way too many local election. The New York Times' has an op-ed by Adam Grant on Sortition, the idea that I've always found fascinating (namely choosing elected officials by lot). Alas, Grant doesn't mention that Ben Franklin suggested this for the presidential selection. 

I do want to say more about this, but I'll have to see if I can write it up one day. But at least want to share these pieces here. 

Louisiana: Petitioners making another attempt against Elton Mayor

Following the failure of the first attempt at recalling Elton Mayor Elton Mayor Kesia Skinner-Lemoine, which failed in spectacular fashion, with only one of the 322 signatures handed in approved, petitioners are giving it another try.

Petitioners needed 276 (40%). petitioners are giving it another chance and have taken out petitions. 

California: Petitions taken out against Anaheim City Councilmember

Petitions are being taken out against Anaheim City Council member Natalie Rubalcava after a public corruption investigation report was released. Petitioners need about 5000 signatures to get on the ballot. 

The corruption claim is based on a chamber of commerce created data mining operation that allegedly gave Rubalcava a list of names and contact info taken from community outreach groups. She is also accused of giving operational direction to city staff rather than the city manager. Rubalcava was elected in 2022, and Support our Anaheim Resort, a Disney PAC, was a big supporter. The Unite Here union, which has been fighting for a $25 minimum wage, has been a major opponent of Rubalcaya.

Oregon: Second batch of signatures handed in against State Representative in Cannabis/Labor bill fight after large number of first group invalidated

A huge number of signatures were declared invalid in the recall effort against State Representative Paul Holvey (D), leading petitioners to scramble and hand in more before the deadline.

In July, 6600 signatures were handed, with petitioners needing 4598 to get on the ballot and petitioners have more than a month (August 21) to add to the total. Only 2610 were validated. 

Petitioners have since handed in another 3939 signatures and need 1988 validations to get to the ballot.

The Holvey recall is not a partisan fight, rather it is being launch by one of the most powerful unions in the state, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555. Holvey is the Chair of the House Committee on Business and Labor.

The recall is over Holvey's failure to support a bill blocking cannabis employers from interfering with employee efforts to unionize. Holvey believed that it was preempted by federal law. Holvey was a former union representative and he notes that the state's largest union and others are backing Holvey in fighting the recall effort.

Louisiana: Signatures handed in against Jonesboro Mayor

Signatures have been handed in against Jonesboro Mayor James Harris over claims of voting irregularities. Among the committee members are a former Mayor Leslie Thompson, who lost to Harris, and a former Councilman.

Petitioners handed in 811 signatures, with 134 rejected (and 49 removed).

South Dakota: Democratic Party Chair kicked out in recall vote

South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Jennifer Slaight-Hansen was kicked out in a recall election, with a unanimous vote (though some members abstained. The committee will vote for a replacement on September 16, though Slaight-Hansen may appeal. Slaight-Hansen said she will not abide by the vote.

Slaight-Hansen was elected but took over early in April after the former Chairman died. The Party's Executive Director Dan Ahlers resigned due to issues with Slaight-Hansen. Petitions claim that Slaight-Hansen hired staffers and interns without the approval of Party officials (which she acknowledges, but says there was precedent).

South Dakota has 11 Democrats in the 105 seat legislature and hasn't won a statewide race since 2008.

Petitioners need to get signatures from 50% of the party's central committee. That would result in a special election where two-thirds of the party need to vote for removal.

Nevada: Douglas County School Board members facing recall threats

There is a discussion about recalling Douglas County School Board members Susan Jansen, Doug Englekirk, David Burns and Katherine Dickerson over complaints about violating open meeting laws. Petitioners also complain about board members looking at their phones during meetings.

Petitioners would need at least 7314 signatures (supposedly from voters who voted in the 2022 election, though I wonder if that would hold up). Additionally, the article notes that there is provision to have petitioners pay to count the petition, but again that may not hold up.

The last petition attempt was against four county commissioners in 1995, and the last time a recall got to the ballot was in 1991, when the Genoa Town Board members survived. This was apparently the start of a state-wide "recall craze."

California: Santa Ana City Council recall set for November 14

The recall of Santa Ana City Council member Jessie Lopez is set for the ballot on November 14. There were significant delays on scheduling this for the ballot, as Lopez's allies on the council had refused to set a date for the recall. As opposed to other states, this isn't a big deal, as the Registrar of Voters simply scheduled a date for the recall if the council can't get it together. 

Petitioners handed in 6617 signatures were either handed in, with 1333 knocked out (395 duplicates). So 5284 were validated and they needed 5274. Additionally, 129 people asked for their name to be removed under the signature strike law. 

There is also a petition outstanding against councilmember Thai Viet Phan, though that isn't due until August 7.

The two are facing recall efforts led by the police union over a labor contract. The contract reportedly doesn't met the union pay-raise proposals. The recall chairman cited a 2021 rent control policy as the reason for the recall. The recall effort comes after progressives won four council seats in 2020. 

The union backed a 2020 recall vote against Council member Cecillia Iglesias, who was kicked out.

The election would cost between $230-$255,000, though new reporters are saying that it would cost between $607,000-$666,000.

Michigan: Parma Township Supervisor recall makes the ballot

The recall of Parma Township Supervisor Wendy Chamberlain has made the ballot, and will be scheduled for Election Day in November. The recall is over a vote on a gravel pit.

Michigan: Petitions taken out against Marquette Area Public School Board members

Petitions have been taken out against Marquette Area Public School Board Member Jennifer Klipp and Jennifer Ray over their vote to remove the high school team nicknames Redmen and Redette, due to their offensive nature.

Petitioners need 3697 signatures to get on the ballot.

North Dakota: Beulah Mayor kicked out in recall election

Beulah Mayor Jeff Gooss lost a recall election to City Council member Sean Cheatley, (54-46%). A separate councilmember, Gary Miller, began calling for Gooss' recall shortly after he started office. The complaint seemed to be about an "Atmosphere of fear."

Texas: La Marque Councilmember resigns

La Marque City Councilmember Michael Carlson has resigned in the face of an upcoming recall vote, which is still scheduled for a replacement vote on November 7. Carlson accepted a job as a Fire Department Chief in Mosier, Oregon, but originally refused to resign. Carlson did not appear at the meeting (or virtually), but the council announced that he sent a letter. Petitioners needed 105 signatures.

Update: Carlson lost the recall vote 234-80.

North Dakota: Horace City Council member easily survives recall vote

Horace City Council Member Stephanie Landstrom easily survived the recall vote on August 15, garnering 611 votes to 202 for Arlin Fisher.

The recall was over a vote to pause a program that gave home buyers a two-year property tax break. The recall effort was backed by realtors (Landstrom opposed the program).

Petitioners needed 98 signatures. 

Two Horace Council members were ousted in a recall in 2021. 

California: First Notice of Intent filed against Alameda District Attorney in recall effort

The first Notice of Intent has been filed against Alameda District Attorney Pamela Price. Here's an expansive look in Politico at the recall effort, as well as the efforts against other D.A.s in California and here's an interview I did with Fox News on the subject.

Texas: Recall effort against two Jasper Councilmembers fails

The recall effort against Jasper City Councilmembers David Shultz and Rashad Lewis has failed. 

The recalls focued on Shultz's vote on a broadband issue and Lewis's calling himself "Mayor" in a social media post (Lewis is the Mayor Pro-Tem), as well as claims of a failure to comply with a public records request. 

Jasper requires 30% of turnout (213 signatures) because all positions are considered at-large. Texas law uses 10% of registered voters in a specific district.

Michigan: Language approved against four Grant Public School Board Members

Petition language has been approved against Grant Public School Board members Richard Vance, Sabrina Veltkamp-Bol, Rachel Gort and Ken Thorne over their votes to end a partnership with a health center that works in the middle school. The vote may have been because of a mural that features LGBTQ+ imagery.

Petitioners need 1091 in 60 days. 

Louisiana: All but one of 322 signatures against Elton Mayor tossed out

The recall effort against Elton Mayor Kesia Skinner-Lemoine failed in spectacular fashion, with only one of the 322 signatures handed in approved. Petitioners needed 276 (40%).

All but 2 of the signatures lacked a witness signature and date and one of those signatures was deemed not authentic.

Even beyond the lack of witnesses, the signatures were deemed problematic. 48 were not registered, 1 died, 13 were duplicates, 2 had suspended voting records and 5 signatures were missing key information.

The recall is after an investigation by the Secretary of State of voter fraud in last November's election. The claim is that out-of-jurisdiction voters made the difference in the election.

Michigan: Petitions approved against Grand Blanc School Board Member of felony charges in fake elector scheme

Petitions have been approved against Grand Blanc School Board Member Amy Facchinello following her being charged with eight felonies as part of the fake elector scheme in the 2020 election. Facchinello was one of the 16 people who tried to falsely claim that they were Michigan's Presidential Electors in an attempt to usurp the state's 16 electoral votes for the losing candidate, Trump. 

California: Signature gathering started against Temecula School Board Members

Signature gathering has started in the recall effort against three Temecula School Board members Joseph Komorsky, Danny Gonzalez and Jennifer Wiersma over complaints about extremist views, including banning critical race theory and rejecting a textbook because of a mention of Harvey Milk as well as the firing of the superintendent. 

Petitioners need 4392 signatures for Gonzalez, 4280 for Komrosky and 3987 for Wiersma, all by December 8.

Trinidad and Tobago: Opinion piece calling for adoption of recall law

Here -- sounds like absenteeism is a particular problem there.

Op-ed in American Lawyer's Recorder -- the Recall is Raw Democracy

Here's an op-ed that I co-authored with California Constitution Center Executive Director David A. Carrillo for the Recorder taking to task the claims that the recall is, according to the Alameda District Attorney "election denial" or "anti-Democratic." Instead, it is what we call "raw democracy." 

California: Court upholds noncitizen voting laws

A California Appellate Court upheld laws that allow noncitizen voting in school board races, overturning a lower court ruling which rejected the practice. A number of the backers of the 2022 San Francisco school board recall were involved in the case as noncitizen voters.

North Dakota: Op-ed looking at impact of Williston Basin School Board recall

Here's an op-ed looking at the overwhelming victory by Williston Basin School Board members in their August 8 recall, which received national attention due to its connection with Moms for Liberty, the far-right group that has looked to ban books in libraries and schools.  The Williston Teacher's Union endorsed the incumbents.

President Chris Jundt, VP Kyle Renner and member John Kasmer al survived their recall elections, with Renner recivng 1304 votes, Kasmmer, 1291 and Jundt 1223. Their opponents, Ryan Park and Jonathon Greiner got 715 and Sharlet Mohr  got 665.

The effort also targeted Cory Swint, Heather Wheeler and Sarah Williams, though no word on what happened.

Jundt took office in winning a recall in 2019 against school board members. 

Dennis Nehring, one of the leaders of this recall effort, won a recall in 2020.

South Dakota: Election scheduled for recall of Democratic Party Chair

The recall election against South Dakota's Democratic Party Chair Jennifer Slaight-Hansen is set to take place on August 19, though Slaight-Hansen said she will not abide by the vote.

Slaight-Hansen was elected but took over early in April after the former Chairman died. The Party's Executive Director Dan Ahlers resigned due to issues with Slaight-Hansen. Petitions claim that Slaight-Hansen hired staffers and interns without the approval of Party officials (which she acknowledges, but says there was precedent).

South Dakota has 11 Democrats in the 105 seat legislature and hasn't won a statewide race since 2008.

Petitioners need to get signatures from 50% of the party's central committee. That would result in a special election where two-thirds of the party need to vote for removal.

Michigan: New petitions filed against four State Representatives after first attempt rejected on clarity grounds

Revised petitions have been resubmitted against four Democratic Michigan House members, Jennifer Conlin, Betsy Coffia, Reggie Miller and Noah Arbit.

Petition language was previously rejected in seven of eight filings against these four, as well as Sharon MacDonell (D) and Jamie Churches (D) and Republican Donni Steele (R). It would not be a surprise if petitions are refiled against these three as well.

A petition against Republican Representative Cam Cavitt was approved. Cavitt's recall language was over his vote in favor of electing Representative Joe Tate as speaker. 

The six Democrats are targeted over votes in favor of red flag laws to remove guns from people who are considered extreme risks (Coffia and MacDonell) and hate crimes legislation (Conlin, Miller and Churches). The petitions did not spell this out, which resulted in their rejection. Steele (R) is also facing a recall effort over her vote in favor of a bill requiring safe storage of guns when not in use.

While the petition language is over these bills and votes, most believe the recall is due to the fact that the Democrats have a narrow 56-54 majority in the House, leading petitioners to think they can gain control of the chamber with recalls. 

Recalls to flip a chamber are not unusual and have actually worked, though the longer term implications are frequently poor. Recalls in Washington in 1981, Michigan in 1983, California in 1995, Wisconsin in 1996, Wisconsin in 2011, 2012, Colorado in 2013 and attempts in Colorado and Nevada in 2019 all had this goal. In Michigan, California and Wisconsin (1996), recalls actually resulted in change of control, though only the Michigan one stuck (Democrats have been out of power in the Michigan Senate for nearly 40 years, ending this last election.

Michigan has also had four state legislative elections, in 1983, 2008 and 2011. Three of the four led to removal.

Two more Michigan House Representatives are facing recall efforts, bringing the total ongoing recall attempts to eight. 

Oregon: Grants Pass Mayor recall election set for September 12

A recall election has been scheduled for September 12 against Grants Pass Mayor Sara Bristol. The recall is  apparently over homelessness issues following a court ruling preventing the removal of homeless from the park,  though is also claims that she Bristol "does not represent their conservative principles." 

Petitioners claim to have handed in over 4300 signatures and needed 2462. They got at least 2700

Grants Pass had a recall in 2009, removing five council members.

Michigan: Petition language rejected against two other Pere Marquette officials

Recall petitions against Pere Marquette Township Clerk Rachelle Enbody (R) and Trustee Ron Soberalski (D) have been rejected by the election commission on clarity grounds.

Treaurer Karie Bleau (R), who is facing an upcoming recall election in November s as is her husband Jerry Bleau (R), filed the recall effort. 

The petitions complained about harassment and bullying for Enbody and billing errors with the water system.

North Dakota: Horace City Council recall set for August 15

Some more details on this week's recall election of Horace City Council Member Stephanie Landstrom on August 15.

Arlin Fisher against Landstrom.

The recall is over a vote to pause a program that gave home buyers a two-year property tax break. The recall effort was backed by realtors (Landstrom opposed the program).

Petitioners needed 98 signatures. 

Two Horace Council members were ousted in a recall in 2021. 

California: Recall effort against Gateway School Board members dropped

The recall effort against Gateway School Board Members Lindsi Haynes and Elias Haynes has been dropped. Petitioners needed 2052 signatures in 90 days. The issue seems to be firing the superintendent and failing to replace a trustee. They are now focused on electing someone to an open trustee position.

North Dakota: Williston Basin School Board Members survive recall vote

Williston Basin School Board President Chris Jundt, VP Kyle Renner and member John Kasmer al survived their recall elections, with Renner receiving 1304 votes, Kasmmer, 1291 and Jundt 1223. Their opponents, Ryan Park and Jonathon Greiner got 715 and Sharlet Mohr  got 665.

The group backing the recall appears to be connected with Moms for Liberty, the far-right group that has looked to ban books in libraries and schools.  The Williston Teacher's Union endorsed the incumbents.

The effort also targeted Cory Swint, Heather Wheeler and Sarah Williams, though no word on what happened.

Jundt took office in winning a recall in 2019 against school board members. 

Dennis Nehring, one of the leaders of this recall effort, won a recall in 2020.

Colorado: Custer County Commissioner trailing in recall vote (Update, he lost)

Custer County Commissioner Tom Flower is losing the recall vote against him, though it is still too close to call. As of last night, the vote was 1181-1161 for removal. 35 ballots still need verification.

Flower's is facing the recall over overtime payments to Board of Health employees, including his wife, as well as claims of hostile work environment, which led to the resignation of the Planning and Zoning Director. 

Update: Flowers lost 1202-1166. He was replaced by Lucas Epp.

Colorado: Englewood Recall set for October 3; One Councilmember resigns

The recall of Englewood Mayor Othoniel Sierra and Councilmembers Chelsea Nunnenkamp and Joe Anderson has been scheduled for October 3. Councilmember Cheryl Wink has chosen to resign.

The recall effort is over a plan to allow multifamily development in a single-family zone. Wink is also facing complaints about attendance.

Anderson succeeded a former Councilmember Laurett Barrentine, who survived a recall vote but lost reelection. 

UK: Failure to appear at Commons leads to MP recall threat

Potential expansion of the recall law here -- MP Nadine Dorries (Conservative) is facing recall threats over her failure to show up to the House of Commons for a year. Labour MP Chris Bryant is looking to use a rule from 1801 that would allow for 10 or more day suspension for an MP who does not attend after not showing up for six months. The 10 day suspension would allow for a recall petition to be submitted.

Dorries, the former Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, promised to resign from parliament after her name was removed from a peerage list from former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. However, she has not resigned. 

Michigan: Circuit Court Judge rejects appeal of three Delta County Commissioners against recall attempt

A Circuit Court Judge has rejected an appeal by Delta County Commissioners Robert Petersen, Dave Moyle and Robert Barron over the recall attempt against them. The recall is over their votes to fire the County Administrator. 

Petitioners will need 666 signatures for one of the commissioners, and over 1000 for the other two.

Nevada: Signatures are collected against Incline Village General Improvement Trustees

Signatures are on track against Incline Village General Improvement District Chair Matthew Dent and Trustee Sara Schmitz. Three former board trustees are leading the effort. Looks like this is over the firing of a general manager for the district and a no vote on a $26 Million grant.

Petitioners need 1801 signatures or 25% of turnout (and supposedly, only those who voted in the 2020 election can sign, though I'm not sure if that limiting provision preventing newer residents or people who didn't vote in that specific election actually holds up if challenged in court).

Louisiana: Signatures handed in against Elton Mayor

317 signatures were handed in against Elton Mayor Kesia Skinner-Lemoine. They need 275 (40%).

The recall is after an investigation by the Secretary of State of voter fraud in last November's election. The claim is that out-of-jurisdiction voters made the difference in the election.

Mississippi: Lieutenant Governor candidate proposes adoption of the recall

Mississippi State Senator Chris McDaniel, who is running in the Republican primary against the incumbent for Lieutenant Governor, is calling for the adoption of a full scale political recall law. McDaniel, who barely lost the GOP nomination for the US Senate against Thad Cochran in 2014 and then came in a distant third in a 2018 Special Election for the same US Senate seat, is seen as a far right conservative. 

Mississippi has an odd provision that may or may not be a recall law (as discussed here).

Massachusetts: Editorial calls for recall law in Chicopee

Can't see the whole piece, but the editorial is calling for a recall to be adopted. 

South Dakota: Push on for removal of Democratic Party Chair

South Dakota's Democratic Party Chair Jennifer Slaight-Hansen is facing a recall effort. Slaight-Hansen was elected but took over early in April after the former Chairman died. The Party's Executive Director Dan Ahlers resigned due to issues with Slaight-Hansen.

Petitioners need to get signatures from 50% of the party's central committee. That would result in a special election where two-thirds of the party need to vote for removal.

Washington: Richland School Board recall prompts questions on lack of quorum

The removal of three Richland School Board is leading to a discussion about how the school board operates without a quorum. Right now, 2 of 5 board members are still on board. The Election School District is responsible for naming a replacement, though it is unclear for which seat.

Louisiana: Signatures to be handed in against Elton Mayor

Signatures are set to be handed in against Elton Mayor Kesia Skinner-Lemoine, with petitioners claiming they have over 300 signatures and need 275 (40%) by August 13.

The recall is after an investigation by the Secretary of State of voter fraud in last November's election. The claim is that out-of-jurisdiction voters made the difference in the election.

California: Santa Ana City Council deadlocks and does not schedule recall vote

After getting to the ballot, the recall election against Santa Ana City Council member Jessie Lopez is now facing a challenge in terms of scheduling the vote, as Lopez's allies on the council have refused to set a date for the recall. As opposed to other states, this isn't a big deal, as the Registrar of Voters will simply schedule a date for the recall if the council can't get it together. 

Petitioners handed in 6617 signatures were either handed in, with 1333 knocked out (395 duplicates). So 5284 were validated and they needed 5274. Additionally, 129 people asked for their name to be removed under the signature strike law. 

There is also a petition outstanding against councilmember Thai Viet Phan, though that isn't due until August 7.

The two are facing recall efforts led by the police union over a labor contract. The contract reportedly doesn't met the union pay-raise proposals. The recall chairman cited a 2021 rent control policy as the reason for the recall. The recall effort comes after progressives won four council seats in 2020. 

The union backed a 2020 recall vote against Council member Cecillia Iglesias, who was kicked out.

The election would cost between $230-$255,000, though new reporters are saying that it would cost between $607,000-$666,000.

Washington: Early returns show ouster of Richland School Board members

The early returns the recall effort against three Richland School Board members Semi Bird, Audra Byrd and Kari Williams suggest that all three are going to be ousted. The votes counted so far (the election is all mail), show about 15,000-16,000 votes per race, with 55-45% in favor of the ouster (8751-7039 in one of the races). There are about 3600 votes still outstanding.

The recall is over their vote to make mask mandates optional, which petitioners claim violated a state law that mandated masks to fight the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Washington State Supreme Court has approved the recall effort, which, because Washington is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state, needed a showing of a violation of state law.

Bird is running for Governor and Williams is running for reelection, so both will be before voters again soon.

Michigan: Seven of eight petitions against State Representatives rejected on clarity grounds; One approved

Petition language was rejected in seven of eight filings against seven Michigan House members, Democratic Representatives Jennifer Conlin, Betsy Coffia, Sharon MacDonell, Reggie Miller, Jamie Churches and Noah Arbit and Republican Donni Steele (R),

The petition against Republican Representative Cam Cavitt was approved. Cavitt's recall language was over his vote in favor of electing Representative Joe Tate as speaker. 

The six Democrats are targeted over votes in favor of red flag laws to remove guns from people who are considered extreme risks (Coffia and MacDonell) and hate crimes legislation (Conlin, Miller and Churches). The petitions did not spell this out, which resulted in their rejection. Steele (R) is also facing a recall effort over her vote in favor of a bill requiring safe storage of guns when not in use.

While the petition language is over these bills and votes, most believe the recall is due to the fact that the Democrats have a narrow 56-54 majority in the House, leading petitioners to think they can gain control of the chamber with recalls. 

Recalls to flip a chamber are not unusual and have actually worked, though the longer term implications are frequently poor. Recalls in Washington in 1981, Michigan in 1983, California in 1995, Wisconsin in 1996, Wisconsin in 2011, 2012, Colorado in 2013 and attempts in Colorado and Nevada in 2019 all had this goal. In Michigan, California and Wisconsin (1996), recalls actually resulted in change of control, though only the Michigan one stuck (Democrats have been out of power in the Michigan Senate for nearly 40 years, ending this last election.

Michigan has also had four state legislative elections, in 1983, 2008 and 2011. Three of the four led to removal.

Two more Michigan House Representatives are facing recall efforts, bringing the total ongoing recall attempts to eight. 

Michigan: More on the Green Charter Township recalls, with signatures handed in against Supervisor

Some further details about the recall efforts in Green Charter Township. Signatures were handed in against Supervisor James Chapman -- they gave in over 600 and need 458. 

No word in the article about the petitions against Clerk Janet Clark (558 signatures) , Treasurer Denise Macfarlane (556) and Trustees Roger Carroll (558), Dale Jernstadt (567) and Gary Todd (556) and Big Rapids Township Supervisor Bill Stanek (560).

The recall is over their support for a battery component manufacturing facility, though there are claims of hiding information, which Chapman vehemently denies. 

UK: Scottish MP ousted with recall petition, will not run in by-election to retain seat

Another recall succeeds in the UK, as MP Margaret Ferrier (a former SNP member) has been ousted with a recall petition and she will not attempt to run in the by-election. Petitioners got 11,896 signatures and needed 8112.

Ferrier received a 30 day suspension from parliament started a recall petition under UK rules (a suspension of 10 days or more kicks the recall into gear). Ferrier plead guilty to violating COVID safety protocols in 2020, after refusing to self isolate, going to church and a bar and then taking a train from Glasgow to London despite having the coronavirus (though she had not yet tested positive).