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.