Friday, November 8, 2024

California: Yucaipa City Council member ousted in recall

Yucaipa Councilmember Matt Garner has been ousted in a recall vote, with 67% opposed (though the votes are still being counted).

The recall was over support for a high-density project, though there in 2023, petitions were taken out against Garner, Yucaipa Mayor Justin Beaver, Mayor Pro Tem Bobby Duncan and Councilmember Matt Garner over the decision to oust the City Manager and City Attorney. The decision came two months after their contracts were renewed. There are claims of working with developers on the ouster.

This is apparently the first recall attempt in Yucaipa history.

Arizona: Cottonwood City Council member ousted in recall

Cottonwood City Councilmember Lisa DuVernay lost her recall election, 2073-1033 (66.7-33.3%) to former Cottonwood Interim Police Chief Chris Dowell. DuVernay is accused of showing what it calls a pornographic video at a council meeting in August. It appears the video was of a drag show. DuVernay, a conservative member of the council, was pushing for a ban on drag shows where minors are present.

The Council managed to delay the recall by failing to get a quorum. The recall was moved from the July primary. Petitioners needed 361 signatures. 

A second recall against Councilmember Derek Paosaari over accusations of sexual harassment failed to submit signatures. 

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Arkansas: Parkin mayor ousted in recall vote

Parkin Mayor Diane Patterson appears to have been ousted in a recall vote, 191-180. The recall seems to have occured after her sons were arrested for arson. One of her children was assistant chief at the Parkin Fire Department.

Arkansas: Wynne Mayor survives recall vote

Wynne Mayor Jennifer Hobbs appears to have survived the recall vote, 1217-1627.

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.

Missouri: Carthage Councilmember ousted in recall vote

Carthage Councilmember Tiffany Cossey was ousted in a recall vote, so far the vote is 730-457. The recall was over a claim that she was creating a hostile work environment, which led the previous council to attempt to pass a censure motion against her. Cossey is also accused of stealing pro-recall signs. Here's an additional story on the fighting in Carthage Government.

Petitioners handed in 545 signatures and got 508 valids. They needed 486. Notably, a second wave pushed them over. 

Monday, November 4, 2024

Idaho: Marsh Valley School Board Member facing Election Day recall vote

Marsh Valley School Board Member Kathy Egan is facing a recall vote on Election Day, November 5. Egan, who is in her second term, is facing the recall over complaints about declining enrollment, poor financial oversight and poor performance of the district, though the focus seems to be discussion to close an elementary school.

Since this is Idaho, I would assume the  ]"queen of the hill" provision, which requires the pro-recall vote to top the amount of votes received in the official's original election, is in effect.

Sunday, November 3, 2024

Idaho: Juliaetta City Councilor facing Election Day recall

A recall election against Juliaetta City Councilor Judi Fuller is on the ballot on November 5. Fuller was appointed to office in January. 

Petitioners claims the recall is about social media posts about a wildfire being close and safety of a bike path.  Fuller claims it is because of questions she asked about inappropriately collecting a $5 donation to pay for local TV channels. The  Association that oversees it is run by the current mayor. 

Oregon: Signatures handed in against Josephine County Commissioner

Petitioners handed in over 7500 signatures against Josephine County Commissioner John West over claims of insufficient law enforcement funding, defunding a service district and an auctioning off of timberland. 

One of the other Commissioners, Herman Baertschiger, was not targeted as he did not run for reelection. He did face a failed recall attempt in 2022.

Saturday, November 2, 2024

Michigan: Warren Mayor recall petition rejected on clarity grounds

Petitions language against Warren Mayor Lori Stone was rejected by the Macomb County Election Commission of clarity issues. The recall is about social media posts by a member of the Historical Commission about Islam. 

Nebraska: Petitions taken out against Kimball Mayor

Petitions have been taken out against Kimball Mayor John Morrison, with a focus on a tax levy, a claimed delay in replacing a council member and other general issues.

Petitioners needs 280 signatures in 30 days. 

California: More updates on Oakland Mayor recall effort

 The Nor Cal Carpenters Union has endorsed the Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao recall over her inclusion of their logo on her material. 

The prime backer of the Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price recalls, Phillip Dreyfuss, has donated $700K to the Price recall and $890K to the Thao one. 

The County Registrar claims that the Price recall costs about $6 million and would be $20 million as a stand alone special election. It's not clear why an additional vote would be another $6 Million, but there it is. 

There was a clash (though not a physical one) between pro and anti recall forces in Downtown Oakland.

And here's a look at the recall, with the owner of Fentons Creamery (a practical landmark ice cream shop/restaurant) discussing his support for the recall. 

Friday, November 1, 2024

California: Salinas City Councilmember facing recall effort

Salinas City Councilmember Andrew Sandoval is facing a recall effort over complaints about bullying and his questions of conflict-of-interest complaints against a former councilmember. Sandoval was elected in 2022. 

Petitioners would need 2275 signatures.