Nebraska: Recalled Plattsmouth School Board member appointed to state Library Commission

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has appointed former Plattsmouth School Board Member Terri Cunningham-Swanson to the Nebraska Library Commission eight months after she was ousted in a recall vote, 1649-1000. The recall was over her support for a book ban policy. The school board has since overturned the removal of 51 of 52 books.  

Wisconsin: Bohners Lake Sanitary District Commissioners facing September 17 vote

Two Bohners Lake Sanitary District Commissioners (in Burlington), Carrie Oldenburg and Jessica Wiskes, are facing a September 17 recall vote over complaints about water-quality issues and the sewer system maintenance. There is also a complaint about ending an advisory group. A third commissioner was elected four months ago.

Amber Della Bianca and Brenda Szumski are running against the two.

Petitioners handed in about 300 signatures and needed 182.

Colorado: Garfield School Board Member ousted

Garfield RE-2 School Board Member Tony May appears to have lost the recall vote, 2781-2042. Scott Bolitho won the replacement race (unopposed).

May has pushed for the adoption of the American Birthright Standards instead of the state standards. There are also complaints about behavior.

May had previously stepped down as board president, but presumably retained his seat.

Wisconsin: Petitioners spent at least $1.3M for Assembly Speaker recall effort

The failed recall against Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos spent $1.3 million through June 30. The major funder was an Arkansas philanthropist. Presumably, this amount went up thanks to the lawsuits filed to get the recall back on the ballot.

Most of the money went to "solicitation expenses" presumably, signature collection.

Wisconsin: Fifield Supervisor ousted in recall election vote

Fifield Town Board Supervisor Ann Sloane was ousted in a recall vote, losing to John Schroeder 189-81. This was a re-run, as Schroeder lost to Sloane in the 2023 election.

The recall is over creating "tension on the board" though Sloane said it is part of an attack against the Pike Lake Fire Department (where she is a first responder. Her husband was apparently suspended for six months due to a "verbal altercation"). There was a first recall attempt over permit violations on the lake after some changes to buoy regulations.

Washington: Petitions taken out against Spokane County Commissioner

Petitions have been taken out against Spokane County Commissioner Al French (R) over claims of a coverup about PFAS (so-called "forever chemicals") contamination of the drinking water. French is currently running for his fifth term, so it the recall would actually have to be between the General Election and the next term in January or wait till the next term starts.

Washington is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state, so a judge will have to sign off on the effort as meeting the statutorily delineated reasons before it can move forward. Petitioners would need 11,535 signatures. 

Wisconsin: State Supreme Court rejects Assembly Speaker recall effort to bypass appellate court

The Wisconsin State Supreme Court has rejected an attempt to bypass the Appellate Court in order to get the recall of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos on the ballot. So the suit against the recall, which is really running out of time as Vos is on the ballot in November, must be heard by the lower court. Previously, a trial court rejected the recall effort. 

Oregon: Lawsuit challenges appointment of recalled King City Councilmembers, who was appointed to different seat

Interesting lawsuit challenging the appointment of Smart Ocholi, one of the councilmembers who was ousted in the King City recall. Ocholi was ousted in the February 13th recall, but was appointed to replace a different councilmember in a separate seat (who was also removed on the same day) which may be a violation of Oregon law (as officials who lose a recall are not eligible to be selected as a replacement. One of the recall supporters, who was passed over for the position, was suing. 

In the recall, Mayor Jaimie Fender and Councilors Ocholi, Kate Mohr and Laurie Petrie all lost. There was no longer a quorum for the body.

The recall was over their vote for a Master Plan and Transportation System Plan, most notably a development plan for Kingston Terrace. One councilor who voted against the Transportation Plan is not facing a recall effort. 

Washington: Recall against all seven Eastsound Water Users Board members going to the ballot

A recall effort has been approved against Eastsound Water Users Association Board, as all EWUA Board members, with a 403 split in the board. Teri Nigretto, Jim Nelson, Michael Cleveland and Leith Templin seem to be the "dominant" faction and Carol Ann Anderson, Ron Claus and Jim Cook are the minority.  Not sure what this is about, though there are 1300 members who can vote.

Texas: Lawsuit filed to stop Proposition from raising Austin signature requirement

A lawsuit has been filed to stop Austin's mayor and city council from putting forward 13 ballot propositions, including one (Prop. H) that would raise the signature requirements for a recall from 10 percent of registered voters to 15%. 

California: San Francisco School Board President, named after 2022 recall, resigns

San Francisco School Board President Lainie Motamedi, who was named to replaced one of the officials ousted in the 2022 recall, abruptly resigned the office.

Arkansas: Wynne Mayor recall election makes Election Day ballot

The recall against Wynne Mayor Jennifer Hobbs has made the November 5 Election Day ballot. The issue seems to be complaints about the recovery plan following a tornado. There is also a complaint about a rebuilding a historic park building. 

Petitioners handed in 1207 signatures and 1174 were valid. 1092 were required. 

California: Sunol Glen School Board member ousted in July, is running for other seat

Former Sunol Glen School Board member Ryan Jergensen, who lost a recall vote on July 2, is running for the seat formerly held by Linda Hurley who also lost a recall vote on the same day. 

The recall was 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.

California: Elections campaigns in Oakland Mayor and Alameda District Attorney recall heats up

 Here -- first real sign of a push by the elected officials against the recall effort.

Missouri: Recall effort started against Arnold Mayor, Treasurer and 8 councilmembers

Petitions are being circulated Arnold Mayor Ron Counts, Treasurer Dan Kroupa and eight city councilmembers, EJ Fleischmann, Jason Fulbright, Brian McArthur, Bill Moritz, Mark Hood, Rodney Mullins, Butch Cooley and Gary Plunk.

The recall effort is over a proposed road project connecting shopping districts. The road project has been dropped.

Petitioners need 25% of registered voters in 60 days to get on the ballot. This is 4200 for Counts and Kroupa and between 903-1109 for the councilmembers.

Update: The effort has ended, with no petitions handed in.

Arizona: Recall efforts against Tucson Mayor and City Councilmembers fail

A recall effort against Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup and City Councilmembers Regina Romero and Karin Uhlich has failed. It's not clear if petitions were taken out. 

Wisconsin: Richmond Treasurer kicked out in recall vote

Richmond Treasurer Ann Seaver has been kicked out in a recall, losing to Emmily Taylor 232-177. Seaver was in office for 31 years. The recall was over alleged misfiling of some taxes using a new system, leading to small penalties from the state and failure to attend meetings and leaving outside the town (which Seaver claims was due to physical rehab).

Petitioners handed in 305 signatures and needed 249. They got 303. 

The board in June unanimously approved proceeding 

Kansas: Ninth recall against Prairie Village Mayor fails

A ninth attempt to recall Prairie Village Mayor Eric Mikkelson has failed.

Previous recall attempts were rejected by the Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe due to not meeting the malfeasance standard requirement.  This petition did succeed in meeting that threshold because Mikkelson was accused of using city funds to target individuals who tried to remove him in the past. The petitions focus on some attempt to surmount the malfeasance question, but the issues seem to be a debate about housing plans. 

Oklahoma: Libertarian Party Chair calls for Recall law

Here

Wisconsin: Last Milwaukee School Board member recall fails

The last recall against a Milwaukee Public School Board members, Missy Zombor, failed. Previously, the recalls against three of four Marva Herndon, Jilly Gokalgandhi and Erika Siemsen have failed. The Election Commission site suggests that petitioners only managed to get a small number of valids

The recall effort started following the news that the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction withheld $16 million in funding because the district was months behind in reporting. This led to the resignation of the superintendent and the firing of the comptroller. Petitioners need 5137 signatures for Herndon, 6809 for Siemsen, 7759 for Gokalgandhi, and 44,177 for Zombor (Zombor is an at-large member, rather than a specific district.

The board called for a $252 million referendum that was recently approved before revealing the financial issues.

Oregon: Recall Elections against three John Day Councilmembers scheduled for September 17

The recall effort against John Day Councilmember Councilmember Sherrie Rininger, Eric Bush and Ron Phillips has made the September 17 ballot. Petitioners handed in at least 126 signatures. 

The recall is over a kitchen sink of complaints such as "claims of mismanagement, poor decision-making and planning, violations of state law, and unprofessional and unethical conduct."

The recall was filed by John Day Public Works Director. 

In January, John Day Mayor Heather Rookstool lost a recall election, 252-224 over a host of complaints about management and city employees led the charge there as well.

Taiwan: Keelung City Mayor recall makes the ballot; scheduled for October 13

Keelung City Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang (KMT) recall has made the ballot, with the vote scheduled for October 13. Kuo-liang is facing criticism over a scandal involving a commercial property at the harbor, and claims that he did this to benefit the family of his ex-girlfriend. 

The KMT is looking to change the law, which currently has a "absentee veto" requirement (25% must turnout for the recall to count). They would add a "queen of the hill" provision, which requires the pro-recall vote to top the amount of signatures received in the official's original election.

Arkansas: Fairfield Bay Mayor recall makes the ballot; scheduled for Election Day

Fairfield Bay Mayor Jackie Sikes recall has made the General Election ballot in November. The petition claims that Sikes blocked an economic development project and called a decision by Dollar General to move outside the city as smart business decision. The city council has called for her resignation.

Wisconsin: Signatures fail against three of four Milwaukee Public School Board members

The recalls against three of four Milwaukee Public School Board members, Marva Herndon, Jilly Gokalgandhi and Erika Siemsen have failed and signatures are still being counted against Missy Zombor. The Election Commission site suggests that petitioners only managed to get a small number of valids

 following the news that the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction withheld $16 million in funding because the district was months behind in reporting. This led to the resignation of the superintendent and the firing of the comptroller. Petitioners need 5137 signatures for Herndon, 6809 for Siemsen, 7759 for Gokalgandhi, and 44,177 for Zombor (Zombor is an at-large member, rather than a specific district.

The board called for a $252 million referendum that was recently approved before revealing the financial issues.

Louisiana: St. Martinville Councilmember facing petitions

Petitions have been taken out against St. Martinville Councilmember Janise Anthony, though the reasons stated are open-ended, so hopefully we'll find out more. 

New Jersey: Sussex County Commissioner recall fails

Petitioners, including the County Republican Party, have dropped the recall effort against Sussex County Commissioner Bill Hayden (R). Hayden is accused of claiming that he was a Navy Seal. Petitioners needed 27,258 signatures to get to the ballot.

Texas: Pilot Point kills recall effort by refusing to schedule and sues, and then settles, with lead petitioner

Pretty crazy result in the Pilot Point City Council recall effort. The City Council has succeed in killing a recall after suing (and settling with) the lead petitioner.

The council refused to schedule the election against Council member Elizabeth Jones, with the vote 5-1-1 against. The recall appears to be over Jones' hosting the city's Christmas party and receiving $900 (it seems to have cost at least $1200). The claim is that this is a favor for the city that she should not have done (a free party appears to be considered a bribe).

The council is claiming that the petition has questionable dating of the signatures and other issues with the petitions.

The Council then sued lead petitioner Kelley Burgess (though members of the council claim they did not realize that a lawsuit would result) for legal costs in getting an injunction against scheduling the recall. Eventually they dropped the case against her and paid $14,000 in legal fees. But Burgess has dropped the effort. 

Texas has had this issue of councils' refusing to schedule recalls numerous times in the past. 

Kelley Burges

Washington: Mabton Mayoral petitions approved by judge

A judge has approved a petition against Mabton Mayor Rachel Ruelas, though the first effort has been turned away. The recall effort comes after the former city clerk was accused of allowing her boyfriend to abscond with $22K in checks and cash from the city. There also has been no access to two council agendas or eight recording of meetings. Council members have not seen the budget and there has been trouble with live-streaming meetings. 

Petitioners would need 59 signatures in 90 days. 

Texas: Missing affidavits throws Bastrop Mayoral recall into confusion

The City Clerk is claiming that the signed petitions against Bastrop Mayor Lyle Nelson are missing documents that makes the office unable to decide whether the recall should get on the ballot.

Nelson sued alleging that the recall has taken too long to make the November ballot and that petitions are missing a signature. Petitioners handed in over 1600 valid signatures, but did not have affidavits with each page. The petitioners have a cure period for this -- but the process is supposed to have a hearing and should be over 90 days before the election.

The recall effort is over claims that Nelson interfered with an investigation into a former Visit Bastrop CEO, who was also allegedly having an affair with. 

Update: Here's a discussion with City Councilmember Kevin Plunkett, a supporter of the recall, explaining the confusion.

Oregon: Seaside City Councilor recall kicked out

Seaside City Councilor Steve Dillard appears to have lost the recall vote, as he is down 1326-484 (no word on when they have official results.  The special election recall was over his proposal for age restrictions on library books. 

Petitioners needed112 signatures. 

Michigan: Buchanan Mayor resigns before recall vote

Buchanan Mayor Sean Denison has resigned before the Election Day recall will be held.

The recall was over the indefinite suspension of the City Manager (Denison notes he was following the advice of counsel). This is the fourth City manager since 2020. Petitioners handed in 532 signatures and had 396 validated. They needed 380.

Election Commission previously rejected the language of tan earlier petition against Buchanan Mayor Sean Denison, due to the petition misspelling the word "Buchanan."

Colorado: Loveland City Council recall makes the ballot

The recall effort against Loveland City Council member Troy Krenning has made the ballot. The recall appears to be over votes to remove the City Manager and City Attorney, as well as a rescission, that Krenning claims avoided litigation.

Petitioners needed 1615 signatures to get on the ballot.

Krenning served on the council from 2013-2017 with one of the recall leaders, former Councilmember Dave Clark. 

Petitions taken out against Navajo Nation President

Petitions have been taken out against Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren. The recall faces a kitchen sink of complaints, including misusing funds, a revolving door and inaction on workplace harassment and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People initiative. 

Petitioners need about 34,000 signatures. The former Executive Director of the Division of Human Resources, who was fired in June, is leading the effort. 

Washington, DC: Recall effort against Councilmember fails, petitioners ask court to put vote on the ballot

The recall against Washington, DC  Councilmember Charles Allen has failed, with claiming that they got 5500 signatures, but needing 6427. Petitioners are asking for the Board of Elections to put the recall on the ballot despite this, due to the board's alleged failure to provide a mobile app that helps signature gatherers. It seems highly unlikely that this would succeed. 

The recall efforts against the other Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, also seems to be in trouble. 

Both recalls are over rising crime issues, including Allen's push for criminal justice reform issues that were blocked by Congress and the Biden Administration last year. 

There are also debates over the cost of the recall, with some saying there will be a $2.6 million cost, while the pro-recall people are suggesting it would cost $300-$400,000. 

There is also discussion about fundraising, with Allen's team raising $125K and Nadeau raising $70K.

Illinois: Sangamon County Board member calls for recall law

Sangamon County Board Member Sam Cahnman is pushing to add a recall law for the County. Apparently, a battle over the Sangamon County Sheriff was the the impetus for the idea. 

Colorado: Manitou Springs Mayor facing recall effort

Manitou Springs Mayor John Graham is facing a recall effort over a land donation and development proposal. Petitioners need 485 signatures to get on the ballot.

Washington, DC: Recall effort against two Councilmembers looks like they won't get signatures

The recall efforts against two Washington, D.C. Councilmembers appear to be heading for failure, as petitioners suggest that they don't have the numbers.

Petitioners previously claimed that they have 4500 signatures for the recall effort against Councilmember Charles Allen. They are looking for 10K.  There is also complaints about a tip line for the recall of Councilmember Brianne Nadeau.

Both recalls are over rising crime issues, including Allen's push for criminal justice reform issues that were blocked by Congress and the Biden Administration last year. 

There are also debates over the cost of the recall, with some saying there will be a $2.6 million cost, while the pro-recall people are suggesting it would cost $300-$400,000. 

There is also discussion about fundraising, with Allen's team raising $125K and Nadeau raising $70K.

Colorado: Signatures handed in against Norwood Mayor

Signatures have been filed against Norwood Mayor Candy Meehan. Petitioners needed 11 signatures and handed in 30. 

It sounds like the firing of the Town Clerk and the resignation of the Town Manager and Deputy Town Clerk are the cause. The mayor was also accused of inappropriately using funds.

California: Los Banos Councilmembers recall makes the ballot; scheduled for Election Day

The recalls of Los Banos Councilmembers Brett Jones and Douglas Begonia have made the ballot, and will be held on November 5, Election Day. 2006 signatures were handed in for Begonia (1706 were verified and 1404 were approved). 2252 were handed in for Jones, and 1650 were approved.

Petitions claim that the recall is over a decision to rehire a fired city manager, raise the base pay and settle a $1.8 million lawsuit filed by the manager. There's also questions of the departure of staffers. Jones and Begonia blame a developer for leading the effort. 

Texas: Petitions taken out against El Paso Representative

Petitions have been taken out against El Paso Representative Chris Canales over an affordable housing development.

Texas: Signatures turned in against Bastrop Mayor

Signatures have been turned in against Bastrop Mayor Lyle Nelson, though he is suing with a claim that the recall has taken too long to make the November ballot and that petitions are missing a signature. 

Nelson faced a recall effort over claims that he interfered with an investigation into a former Visit Bastrop CEO, who was also allegedly having an affair with. 

Arkansas: Signatures handed in against Wynne Mayor

Petitioners have handed in 1207 signatures against Wynne Mayor Jennifer Hobbs. The issue seems to be complaints about the recovery plan following a tornado. There is also a complaint about a rebuilding a historic park building. No word on how many signatures are needed. The recall would be held on Election Day, November 5.

Oregon: Four Gervais officials ousted in recall; debate on replacement and city business

Gervais Mayor Andrea Gilland (272-169) and City Councilors John Harvey (279-166), Michael Gregory (271-171) and Rob Ladd (280-164), were ousted in the recall, leading to a stand-off between the remaining two councilmembers on appointing replacements.  The two remaining councilors (Baltazr "Junior" Gonzalez and Joel Ramon) canceled the latest meeting. The City Attorney has ruled that the City Administrator should run the meeting. If this is not upheld and a city council is not appointed, no ordinances will be approved till next year.  

The recall is over the firing of the police chief. Previously, the city manager, pro-tem manager, recorder and legal counsel all left.

In 2023, two Gervais Councilors were ousted. 

Michigan: Signatures handed in against Porter Township board members

Signatures have been handled in against members of the Porter Township board (though I don't see which members yet). The issue appears to be a vote in favor of a new sewer system. Petitioners handed in 461 signatures and need 280.

Nevada: Petitions filed against Eureka County Sheriff

Petitions have been filed against Eureka County Sheriff Jesse Watts over claims that the D.A. hired a private investigator to look into allegations that Watts claimed a Eureka resident was a rapist.

Petitioners need 174 signatures in 90 days. All signatures will have to be filed regardless of whether they hit the limit. 

California: Recall threatened against Wasco Mayor

A recall effort is being taken out against Wasco Mayor Alex Garcia over "questionable conduct," with the Kern County Democratic Party calling for his resignation. 

Michigan: Petitions taken out against Iron River City Council members

Petitions have been taking out against two Iron River City Council members, Benjamin Garcia and Anthony Clements, over their vote to move city hall. The Councilmembers say that the move saved money. Petitioners need 227 signatures for each.