Who Will Be the Next Victim of the Grand Bounce? A nonpartisan, nonjudgmental look at the “Hair-Trigger” Form of Government
Hampton City Councilmember Chris Bowman is facing a recall effort after he was named as a victim of an extortion attempt by a prostitute who he met in a hotel (the extortion was to return his cellphone).
Randy Bowman, who lost two races for the council, is leading the recall effort.
Petitioners need 1608 signatures to get on the ballot.
Petition language has been approved in the recall effort against Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price over complaints that she is too lenient on plea deals. Here's some earlier coverage about the complaint and Price's claim that the proponents were "election deniers." Also, here's some context of the battle against the progressive prosecutor movement.
Since I was just asked by our friends at the Daily Kos, it appears that the signature number cited earlier (93,000) is incorrect. That was based on California law, which requires the signatures of 10% of registered voters in the county. However, Alameda is a charter county and the law allows it's rules to supersede. Alameda requires 15% of the vote total for governor in the county in the last election (487,969). So petitioners need 73,195 signatures in 160 days.
Once again, confusion reigns in East Cleveland, as there is another attempt to recall Mayor Brandon King, who survived a vote last year by 19 (or perhaps 8) votes. The story is a bit confusing, though it sounds like petitioners handed in enough signatures to get a recall on the ballot (they gave in 796 and had 417 valids and need 396 -- though I'm uncertain about those numbers). The recall would be December 5.
The recall is over a kitchen sink of complaints, including a budget deficit, indicted police, corruption and "tall grass." City Council President Juanita Gowdy would automatically replace King.
While King survived last year's vote, East Cleveland Councilman Ernest Smith was removed. At that time, the city council appointed three different people to fill the seat that was opened with the recall of Ernest Smith (never got a clear answer on the legality of the law director's attempt to stop the recall of King, though he survived the vote anyway). Three council members appointed Lateek Shabazz (quoted in the story about the King recall. to fill the board seat, but that was found to violate the open meeting laws. The City Council President then appointed Jackie Goodrum, who was ineligible as she is a public employee. Finally, Mark McClain was appointed.
Elizabeth Trustee Angela Ternus was ousted, 176-122. The recall was over development issues. Elizabeth has been the focus of numerous recalls, with Trustee June Jurczewsky and Rachel White losing their seats in 2019 over their support for development proposals.
Petition language was rejected against Flint City Councilwoman Jerri Winfrey-Carter. The recall is over Winfrey-Carter not voting for the budget. The petition was filed by former Councilmember Wantwaz Davis, who lost to Winfrey-Carter in 2017.
Signatures have been handed in against Delta County Commissioner Dave Moyle. No word on how many were handed in, but they need 666 valids. There are also recall efforts outstanding against Commissioners Robert Petersen and Robert Barron over their votes to fire the County Administrator.
Petitioners will need 1001 signatures for Barron and 775 for Petersen.
The recall against Supervisor Kevin Crye has gotten to the ballot. Petitioners handed in 5104 signatures and 4929 were verified. They need 4151 valids to get on the ballot.
The recall is over the vote to cancel a voting systems contract with Dominion Voting and requiring handcounting, which will cost the county millions. This is part of the fight in Shasta and Crye seems to be connected to the far right groups, one of whom led the successful recall of Supervisor Leonard Moty.Supporters in Shasta County are asking that Governor Gavin Newsom not appoint a replacement if is ousted in a recall and instead allow the voters to choose. Presumably, this could be an issue in the election. As a reminder, in 2022, the state changed the law for local officials who lose a recall election. In that case (unless there is a local law from a charter city), the new law eliminates a replacement election and instead uses an automatic replacement model (with the governor or a specified body making the choice of replacements).
Following news that Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson has switched his party registration from Democrat to Republican (after a recent re-election win), there is now talk of a recall. Note that the Dallas Mayoralty is a non-partisan election, so Johnson did not run as a member of a party.
Petitioners would need the signatures of 15% of registered voters in the last election in 60 days to get on the ballot. The Secretary of State's office has the county info, so hard to tell how much that is as of yet. The law specifies the city council is subject to a recall, but it notes that the mayor is the 15th city council member (election in the city as a whole).
Michigamme Township Clerk Neil Hanson resigned after a recall effort made the ballot. Petitioners claimed that Hanson had been neglecting his duties. Hanson noted that health problems affected his work. Two of the five board members wanted to keep the recall on the ballot, but the other three accepted the resignation (which came one month after the verification was complete), and will appoint a replacement.
Garibaldi Mayor Tim Hall resigned after signatures were validated for a recall effort. Petitioners handed in 120 valid signatures. Hall said that he received pushback from city officials after he started looking into finances. Hall was one of only four Black mayors in the state.
A former Mayor, Judy Riggs, was a leader of the petition effort, claiming that Hall did not follow procedures and backed the fired City Manager in her $1M whistleblowing suit against the city (which has been dismissed).
Petitions have been taken out against Ottawa County Commissioner Doug Zylstra (D) and Roger Bergman (R) with the language approved by the Election Commission. Zylstra is appealing the decision. The petition is being pushed by the Ottawa Impact group, a fundamentalist Christian far right group, over the two commissioners opposition to a bill that claiming to protect "childhood innocence." Zylstra noted that the bill lacked any specificity for staffers to follow. Petitioners would need 2620 signatures for Zylstra and 3717 for Bergman.
There is an ongoing recall effort against Commissioner Lucy Ebel, a member of the Ottawa Impact group.
Signatures have been handed in for the recall 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).
It seems that petitions have been handed in against Brookings Mayor Ron Hedenskog and city councilmembers Ed Schreiber and Michelle Morosky over their decision to reinstate the City Manager following her arrest for shoplifting. Petitioners need over 400 signatures in 90 days (no word on how many signatures were handed in).
The Mayor is proposing a plan to handle the lack of a quorum if all of the recalls are successful (which would leave only two councilmembers). The charter requires a special election in 60 days to fill the seats. The mayor is looking for a same day recall replacement vote.
Petitions have been taken out against Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy and Councilmembers Jim Villard and Lee Rubin over complaints about police recruitment and retention plans, utility billing and homeless issues.
Petitioners need 6329 signatures in 180 days.
The first attempt to get a recall on the ballot against Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree failed, as petitioners did not get the 100 signatures for the first stage of the recall. The recall is over complaints from the lead petition that the office didn't "sufficiently investigated a driver involved in a crash in his driveway." If they get over the first hurdle, petitioners would need 30% of registered voters to get on the ballot.
The recall election against Sargent School Board members Martin Riddle, Loyd Pointer, Laura Kipp and Tammera Moody seems to have gotten on the ballot. Petitioners needed 95 signatures (35% of the highest vote total of any candidate in the last election) and enough were verified (though I don't know the numbers. An election should be held soon.
The recalls are over the board's vote to not renew the contact of a principal.
Petitions have been taken out against Bell Gardens Mayor Francis De Leon Sanchez and Councilmembers Marco Barcena, Gabriela Gomez and Maria Pulido over their support for allowing cannabis dispensaries.
Petitioners need about 3200 signatures each to get on the ballot.
Petitions have been taken out against Baker Mayor Beverly Calder over an alleged attempt to hold a city council meeting without a quorum, interrupting meetings and apparently an attempt to reappoint herself mayor.
Petitioners needs 747 signatures in 90 days.
Petitions are being taken out against Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree over complaints from the lead petition that the office didn't "sufficiently investigated a driver involved in a crash in his driveway." Petitioners would need 30% of registered voters to get on the ballot.
Recall efforts are being discussed against Sunol Glen School Board Members Linda Hurley and Ryan Jergensen.
The recall is after the board voted to limit the school to only flying US or California state flags. The school flew a pride flag during Pride Month.
Petitions are out targeting Lakeside Mayor Sherry Kinsey and councilors Karen Hurn, Kim Ritter and Jaci Smith over money spent to boost local tourism. Apparently, the spent $23,250 on rebranding the city's logo and buying a $280,000 property. Petitioners need 176 signatures.
Baltic Mayor Deborah McIsaac survived a recall vote, 301-224 (Jamie Ingemensen, one of the petitioners, ran against McIsaac).
The recall was over a construction project. The owner of the project claims that McIsaac and other city officials have thrown up roadblocks to stop the project from continuing.
The South Dakota Democratic Party Appeals Committee has rejected former South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Jennifer Slaight-Hansen appeal of her recall vote.
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.
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.
A recall effort has been started against El Paso City Representative Cassandra Hernandez over support for tax increases and spending money on a city-issued fuel card.
The recall seems to be led by Irene Armendariz-Jackson, who has run for Congress several times and was called a "far right... extremist" and a QAnon supporter by the County Democratic Party.
Petitioners need more than 4800 signatures in 60 days.
Crofton Councilmember James Murphy survived a recall vote, 82-222. 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."
Another Councilmember Larry Peitz, is facing a recall vote on November 14.
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.
Grants Pass Mayor Sara Bristol survived her recall vote, 3023-5455. The recall election was apparently over homelessness issues following a court ruling preventing the removal of homeless from the park, though it also claims that 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.
Petitioners have handed in 5104 signatures in the recall effort against Supervisor Kevin Crye. Petitioners need 4151 valids to get on the ballot.
The recall is over the vote to cancel a voting systems contract with Dominion Voting and requiring handcounting, which will cost the county millions. This is part of the fight in Shasta and Crye seems to be connected to the far right groups, one of whom led the successful recall of Supervisor Leonard Moty.Supporters in Shasta County are asking that Governor Gavin Newsom not appoint a replacement if is ousted in a recall and instead allow the voters to choose. Presumably, this could be an issue in the election. As a reminder, in 2022, the state changed the law for local officials who lose a recall election. In that case (unless there is a local law from a charter city), the new law eliminates a replacement election and instead uses an automatic replacement model (with the governor or a specified body making the choice of replacements).
Petitioners are claiming that they are nearing enough signatures to get a recall of Orange Unified School Board Members Madison Klovstad Miner (who helped flip majority control of the board) and Rick Ledesma over the firing of the school superintendent with no explanation. The school board members are part of a conservative 4-3 majority and the firing was over complaints about policies to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and critical race theory.
Plymouth-Canton School Board President Shawn Wilson, VP Lauren Christenson and Treasurer Patrick Kehoe are facing recall efforts over a decision to get rid of the school's mascot (Chiefs) and logo
Woodbury Mayor Tonya Moody was kicked out in a recall vote 221-13. The issue was budgeting process and questions about the water system. The council will select a replacement.
Minister of Parliament Chris Pincher (Conservative) has resigned after a the House of Commons handed down an eight-week suspension, which would probably lead to a recall effort. Pincher was found guilty of groping two men last year. Pincher has already resigned his position as Deputy Whip. There will now be a by-election to replace him.
A recall effort against Carthage Council member Mark Eliff failed, with petitioners not handing in any signatures. Petitioners needed about 600 signatures. Eliff is on the ballot in April.
The recall was over questions about the Carthage Water & Electric Board, including questioning salaries and removing (and then reinstating) board members.
The recall effort against State Senator Justine Wadsack (R) has failed, with petitioners not turning in any signatures. The recall effort was over claims that she tried to promote book bans, attacking the Arizona State Bar Association, making changes to the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind and positions on the homelessness. Wadsack is a member of the Freedom Caucus.
The lead petition claims Wadsack has been attacking her as a "registered communist" and Wadsack has been accused of targeting other petitioners on social media.
Petitioners needed 30,981 signatures by September 5.
The recall effort against Green Charter Township Supervisor James Chapman has made the ballot and will be held on November 7. The recall is over their support for a battery component manufacturing facility.
Petitioners gave in about over 600 signatures and needed 458. Not sure how many were approved.
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).
Minister of Parliament Chris Pincher (Conservative) is facing a potential eight-week suspension, which would probably lead to a recall effort. Pincher was found guilty of groping two men last year. Pincher has already resigned his position as Deputy Whip.
A judge has stopped an attempted by the recently ousted West Bonner School Board Chair Keith Rutledge and Trustee Susan Brown to dissolve the board, give power over to the superintendent and then elect a new chair in an attempted end run around the vote.
The two 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, with 63% turnout.
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.
Update: Durst resigned from the Superintendent position.
Petitions have been taken out against three Fort Mojave Mesa Fire Department Board members. Everything is behind a paywall, so we don't yet have the names, though it seems like a former board member is leading the effort. The recall seems to be precipitated by a vote to fire the chief (which has since been overturned).
Brownville Trustee Bailey Bindle resigned in the face of an upcoming recall election after accepting a new job. There is a recall scheduled for October 10 against Board members Natisha Helmick-Winkelman and Terry Vice.
Don't see the details of this one yet, but it's funny how the things never Turn out the way you had 'em planned (okay, Brownville without the "s", but I'm running with it anyway).
Update: The two officials lost, 48-29 and 46-23.
Lake Monticello Board of Director member Donald Polonis is facing a recall vote on September 5 after being accused of posting anti-LGBTQ+ comments on a Facebook page and posting an email with a resident's name and contact info.
Petitioners need 2201 votes to remove (as a private entity, not everyone gets a vote).
Petitions have been taken out against Islamorada Councilmember Henry Rosenthal over a push to get the village planning director to poll the council for an amendment to establish a theater and entertainment venue.
Deb Gillis, a former councilwoman who lost to Rosenthal in 2022 by five votes, has filed a complaint with the state Commission on Ethics. The Chair of the recall committee came in fifth in the race.
Petitions need about 532 signatures (10% of registereds) in 30 days.
