North Dakota: Look back at 2011 Walsh County Sheriff recall

Going back to one of the first recalls covered by the blog, Walsh County Sheriff Lauren Wild passed away. Walsh survived a recall vote in April 2011, which took place after he fired his election opponent (Deputy Ron Nord) the day after the election in 2010.

Colorado: Mountain View Councilmember recall scheduled for May

The recall of Mountain View Councilman Brent John Metz has been scheduled as a special election in May . Metz is accused of shooting a teen in the face and faces assault (and other) charges. Two teens were allegedly looking for a place to take homecoming pictures. 

California: Discussion heating up on the 2026 Recall Amendment

Here's a look in Politico on the 2026 recall amendment that will, among other things, strip the replacement race from the gubernatorial recall effort. I look at this here -- and of course, here's a look at the chaos wrought by the 2022 recall change. 

New York: Op-ed from Jerry Goldfeder on how NY recall would handle the Mayor Adams scandal

Here

Washington: Pacific County Commissioner facing petitions

Petitions are being taken out against Pacific County Commissioner Lisa Olsen, Jerry Doyle and David Tobin over their votes to separate the County Jail from the Sheriff's office. The group leading the effort is called the "Recall Rangers."

Washington is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state, so a judge would have to approve the reasons for it to move forward. 

Idaho: Caldwell Mayor and City Councilmembers facing petitions

Petitions have been taken out against Caldwell Mayor Jarom Wagoner and City Councilmember Geoff Williams, Chris Allgood, Mike Dittenber and Brad Doty.

The recall is over the approval of hotel which led to demonstrations for "Save the Dirt Lot." The site is currently used for event parking. 

Petitioner would need 20% of signatures from registered voters in 75 days.

California: Palo Alto Board recall effort fails to hit first hurdle

A recall effort against Palo Alto Board of Education Vice President Shounak Dharap failed to get enough valid signatures to meet the first hurdle to get petitions (they need 30 names). Interestingly, two had signature mismatches. 

The recall effort seems to be over a vote to require a freshman ethnic studies course.

Petitioners would need over 7600 signatures to get to the ballot.

Texas: Lead petitioner in Killeen mayoral recall claims to have shredded signatures

More interesting developments in the failed Killeen recall effort, as the lead petitioner, former Councilmember Mellisa Brown, claims that she got 1624 signatures (and needed 1660), but a flu prevented further efforts. When asked by the paper to show the signatures, she now claims to have shredded the petitions. 

The one recall that did get to the ballot has now led to the Councilmember Michael Boyd dropping his reelection (and possibly recall) race.

Texas: Killeen Councilmember drops out of reelection (and presumably recall) scheduled for May 3

Killeen Councilmember Michael Boyd has dropped out of his reelection run and presumably the recall race as well. The recall has had made the ballot and was scheduled for May 3, 2025, the same day as his reelection race. It is not clear from the story what will happen with the recall. 

The recall seems to be part of an ongoing fight. which led to recall efforts against numerous officials, though the petitioner mentions (among many other things) a vote in favor of a new City Hall and a meeting with developers for which a disclosure form was not filed as well as violations of the First and Second Amendment. The petition itself seems to be a vague kitchen sink, with claims of failing to "listen to the citizens"; Violations of the "code of conduct" and "failure to meet primary standards and "abusing tax dollars."

Petitioners handed in 341 signatures and 218 were verified (50% of registereds). They needed 202. The recall would be held on May 3, 2025. 

The recall effort against Councilmember Jessica Gonzalez failed. They handed in 270 and needed 246 (50% of registereds). No word on how many were rejected. 

Michigan: Three Benton Harbor officials facing petitions

Petitions have been taken out against Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad and Commissioners SaTanna Warren and Sharon Henderson. The recalls are filed by different petitioners and there seems to be a difference with one of them. Muhammad and Warren are facing the threat over their vote to approve a new city manager. Henderson is over an allegation of violating the merit system of the civil service board. 

Petitions were also taken out against Commissioner Ron Singleton, but were then withdrawn. 

Update: The petitions were rejected, because, among other reasons, the title mayor was misspelled (spelled mayer).

Colorado: Loveland upcoming recall vote without an incumbent to remove

Here's a look at how the Loveland City Council recall will be structured now that the target Troy Krenning has resigned rather than face the March 4 recall election vote. The election will be focused on the replacement vote.

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. 

Texas: Gonzales Councilmember recall scheduled for May 3rd

Gonzales City Councilmember Ronda Miller is facing a May 3rd recall vote, which will take place on a general election day.

There was a significant debate as to whether Miller could vote in the council to schedule the recall (it passed 2-1, so presumably, if she voted it would have failed). The City Attorney noted that she was barred from casting a vote. 

Petitioners handed in 313 signatures and got 276 valids. They needed 260.

Miller seems to be pushing a focus on a lack of grounds in the petition. Her attorney claims the city uses a malfeasance standard and that is not met here. 

Minnesota: My article in the Minnesota Reformer on how the state's recall law works -- and one big question on Minnesota law

With threats to recall all of Minnesota's Democratic House Representatives and one of the Republicans, we could see an historic recall battle up north. But we won't. 

Here's (and above) is my article on how Minnesota's recall law works and why the state has only had two recalls go to the ballot since it adopted this version of the recall in 1996 (with one removal) and two resignations.

In addition to giving a full look at the full use of state legislative recalls in the US, the article looks at how malfeasance standard/judicial recalls work and why Minnesota has a particularly difficult one. There is one thing that I do not go into in the article, but I'll mention below. 

As mentioned in the piece, Minnesota is different than Washington State, another malfeasance standard state. Washington does not have a lot of recalls, but more than Minnesota, and many more are threatened. The difference may be that in Washington, the courts approve or reject the petitions before the full signature gathering starts. Here's where it gets strange. Minnesota's law for state level officials seems to be the same requirement, and occasionally that pre-approval seems to have occurred. But in practice, at least at the local level, the court seems to get involved after the signatures are collected and submitted. There are a number of instances of the "collect the signatures and then have the Supreme Court toss out recall" process. There's also a case in Red Wing where the council refused to schedule the recall and the matter seems to have been dropped (and another one in Blue Harbor without the signature verification). 

I don't know why Minnesota practice and law appear to be different at least for state and local officials, but it feels like this a critical question for recalls in the state. 

Minnesota: Petitions taken out against GOP House Representative

Another State legislative recall effort has been taken out against a Minnesota legislator, this time on the GOP side. Petitions have been taken out against House Representative Duane Quam (R) 

So far, no one has taken credit, though a progressive group seems to be supporting it over the reverse of the Democratic recall efforts (that they shouldn't have been allowed to meet without the quorum). 

This appears to be the only petitions that have actually been started according to the Secretary of State offices. 

Wisconsin: Signatures handed in against Wrightstown School Board President

Signatures have been filed against Wrightstown School Board President Angela Hansen-Winker over claims that she misused legal counsel and mishandled a superintendent investigation.

Fellow school board member Rayn Warner is leading the recall effort.

Petitioners allegedly handed in 1200 signatures. No word on how many are needed.

Montana: Choteau Mayor resigns in face of recall threats

Choteau Mayor Chris Hindoien resigned in the face of a recall effort, though it is not clear how serious the effort was. He has also moved out of town, so he needed to resign. He was in his sixth year as mayor, and the recall seemed to be about ending a law enforcement services contract, issues with the volunteer fire department and the departure of some of the appointed officials. 

Nebraska: Two Bartley Trustees ousted

Two Bartley Trustees Cori Hage and Dave Wineland. were ousted in a February 11 special election recall votes, both by 100-15 margins (3 ballots are outstanding).

It sounds like a number of other board members resigned (there are five in total).

The recall was over a $1.1 million renovation project, including maintenance and purchasing a building for the library and office and conference spaces, as well as the firing of a full-time maintenance manager (who is back at the job).

The village's population has fallen from 355 in 2000 to 270 in 2020. Petitioners handed in 40 signatures and needed 28. 

Ohio: Petitions taken out against Piketon Mayor

Petitions appears to have been taken out against Piketon Mayor Billy Spencer and perhaps other trustees following a vote to rescind the annexation of the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant.

Nebraska: McCool Junction board member recall ousted

McCool Junction Village Board member Patricia Wagner was ousted in a February 11 special election (all mail ballot) vote, 77-47. 

The recall was over claims of open meeting violations and abusive talk.

California: Recalled Oakland Mayor accused of illegally voting on council matters

Interesting discussion here, as former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao is accused of casting tie-breaking votes on two controversial matters on December 17th, despite the fact that her recall had been certified on December 5th. 

The ordinances removed a requirement that small businesses be headquartered in Oakland to qualify for city benefits and reduced the banking of rent increases by rental housing owners, while imposing new eviction limitations. 

North Dakota: Proposal looks to change local recall law, including raising signature requirements

Following the odd recall against Dickinson City Councilmember Jason Fridrich, where no one challenged him in the race set to take place on March 11 (though the lead petitioner is planning in running as a write-in), there are now discussions of changing the rules. 

Senator Kristin Roers introduced Senate Bill 2269, which looks to increase signature requirements, allow for the cancelation of uncontested elections and require a stated reason approved by the Secretary of State (though it does not sound like a malfeasance standard).

The signature rules would be the same across the state and no longer allow for home rule provisions that have lesser totals. The number would be raised to 35% of turnout in the last election, up from 25% and would also require 15 petitions minimum to be taken out (I've never seen that type of requirement).

The timeframe for a recall effort would be one year for state level officials and 90 days for others. 

Ohio: Signatures handed in against seven Maumee officials

Signatures have been handed in against seven Maumee officials, Mayor James MacDonald and Councilmember Josh Harris, Jon Fiscus, Ted Kurt, Gabriel Barrow, Scott Noonan and Margo Puffenberger. 

The recall appears to be complaints about transparency, distrust and how the city sewer problems have been handled. 

Almost 14000 signatures total were handed in (not sure about the breakdown). If it gets to the ballot, the recall would be held on Primary Day, September 9th. 

Texas: No signatures handed in against Killeen Mayor and three Councilmembers

No signatures were handed in the recall effort against four Killeen elected officialsMayor Debbie Nash-King and Councilmembers Jose Segarra, Riakos Adams and Ramon Alvarez. 

The recall is over development issues, specifically a rezoning of a road that could add 300 new homes. 

The lead petitions is former councilmember Melissa Brown. Brown previously ran against Nash-King for the mayor, but lost. It sounds like they need about 1200 signatures. 

Killeen Councilmember Michael Boyd is already facing a recall vote on May 3, 2025. Note that the recall would take place on the same day as the regularly scheduled election, which could result in Boyd facing a recall and reelection at the same time. 

The recall seems to be part of an ongoing fight, though the petitioner mentions (among many other things) a vote in favor of a new City Hall and a meeting with developers for which a disclosure form was not filed as well as violations of the First and Second Amendment. The petition itself seems to be a vague kitchen sink, with claims of failing to "listen to the citizens"; Violations of the "code of conduct" and "failure to meet primary standards and "abusing tax dollars."

The recall effort against Councilmember Jessica Gonzalez failed. They handed in 270 and needed 246 (50% of registereds). No word on how many were rejected. 

North Dakota: Recall threats discussed against State Representative

There's some discussion of a recall effort against State Representative Nico Rios (R), who has been condemned for anti-Semitic social media post.

Rios previously faced resignation pressure after he made allegedly made racist and homophobic comments following a DUI arrest. 

Rios is quoted as saying: "If I wasn't recalled for my DUI, I don't see how I could be recalled for this during the session."

Petitioners would need 1,173 signatures to get a recall on the ballot.

Arizona: Mesa Councilmember facing petitions

Mesa Council member Julie Spilsbury is facing a recall effort. The stated issues were a vote to convert a hotel to an emergency homeless shelter and earlier votes for raises for elected officials and an increase in utility rates. 

Spilsbury, a Republican who endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, has stated that the effort is a partisan move by conservatives. 

Petitioners need 3070 valid signatures by May 30. 

Korea: Recall Election law proposed for National Assembly members

Here

Arizona: Nogales Councilmember facing recall effort

Nogales City Councilmember Saulo Bonilla is facing a recall effort over complaints about aggressive behavior. 

California: San Bernardino Councilmember facing petitions

Petitions have been taken out against San Bernardino Councilmember Theodore Sanchez is facing a recall effort over complaints about unaddressed issues and ties to the former mayor.

Petitioners need 897 signatures to get to the ballot.

Arizona: Liberty Elementary School Board in Buckeye members facing recall efforts

Two Liberty (in Buckeye) Elementary School District Board members, President Bryan Parks and BP Kris Kenyon, are facing recall efforts. Teachers are complaining about intimidation, financial mismanagement and removal of education services. There are complaints of 38% absentee rate and numerous teachers have resigned. The Superintendent is also facing calls for removal. 

Petitioners need over 2000 signatures. 

Arizona: Two Gadsden School Board recall efforts make the ballot

A recall effort against Gadsden School Board Liliana Arroyo and Board President Luis Marquez has made the ballot. 

The claim against Arroyo appears to be that she doesn't have enough proficiency in English. Not clear what the argument against Marquez is. 

Petitioners handed in1464 signatures against Arroyo and got 1080 valid. They needed 777. They Marquez recall had 1086 valids and needed 777. 

There was a recall effort against Marquez last year that failed, as petitioners turned in almost 900 signatures, but only 128 were valid. They needed 777. Not clear what that recall was about either.

Arkansas: Once again, Constitutional Amendment proposed for a recall

For the second term, Arkansas House Representative Fran Cavenaugh (R) has proposed a bill to adopt the recall for state officers. 

Arkansas has a long history with the recall, including adopting it in 1912, where it was thrown out on a technicality. 

UK: Wales Parliament pushing forward with recall law

The ongoing effort to adopt a recall for the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament, seems to be moving forward, with a potential vote in May.

The recall copies the UK law, which would allow recalls if an MP is suspended for 10 days, but also uses a provision that is similar to other places (like Idaho) whereby the removed officials is replaced by someone in their own party.

California: San Mateo County Sheriff Ballot Measure moves to a vote, with recall threat still looming and the history of sheriff recalls in California

Ballots have been mailed out for the March 4th vote on Measure A, which will allow the San Mateo County supervisors the power to remove County Sheriff Christina Corpus for cause. The issue is over claims of a work romance and a use of slurs.

There are recall threats as well, though petitioners need over 45,000 signatures to get to the ballot. 

We've previously seen the deep look at the effort, especially on the fact that with only 58 sheriffs' in the state, it's not a surprise that there are few recalls on the ballot.

While there have been a number of recalls against sheriffs in other places in the country (I see 4 since 2011 that made the ballot, with 3 removals), none have been in California. KQED's Brian Krans said that the most recent one he found (and maybe the only one) was in 1976 against Plumas County Sheriff W.C. Abernethy, who retired for six days before being sworn in for his sixth term in order to collect his pension. He was kicked out (though it was a close 2% margin).

California: San Francisco Supervisor recall officially kicks off

San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio has officially kicked off over the passage of Prop. K, which will lead to a new park and the closing of the Great Highway. 

Petitioners need about 9400 signatures by late May.

South Dakota: Baltic Mayor who survived recall vote in 2023 resigns with much of city government

 A year and a half after surviving a recall vote Baltic Mayor Deborah McIsaac, and a number of other elected officials and staffers, resigned over frustration with a construction project that was the source of the recall effort. 

McIsaac survived the September 2023 recall vote, 301-224 (Jamie Ingemensen, one of the petitioners, ran against McIsaac). 

The owner of the project claims that McIsaac and other city officials have thrown up roadblocks to stop the project from continuing.

Kansas: Petitions taken out against Junction City Commissioner

Petitions have been taken out against Junction City Commissioner Jeff Underhill over complaints about misconduct. Underhill was recently chosen as Mayor by the other Commissioners.

Petitioners need 390 signatures in 90 days. Kansas is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state and the petitions still must be approved by the County Attorney.

Michigan: Petitions approved against Hamtramck Public School Board member

Petitions have been taken out and approved against Hamtramck Public School Boardmember Regan Watson, who was allegedly absent for over a year, though has now returned. There seems to be an interpersonal dispute with the former Board president Jihan Aiyash, who also missed a good number of meetings in 2022. The lead petitioner (who is on the Zoning Board) worked on a campaign for the former board president's brother.

Facebook posts are claiming that Watson was pushing a "LGTBQ agenda" once the council did not have a "Muslim majority." 

Petitioners need at least 1200 signatures to get on the ballot. 

Nebraska: Two Bartley Trustees facing February 11 recall vote

Bartley Trustees Cori Hage and Dave Wineland are facing a recall vote on February 11 (though it is all mail). It sounds like a number of other board members resigned (there are five in total).

The recall is over a $1.1 million renovation project, including maintenance and purchasing a building for the library and office and conference spaces, as well as the firing of a full-time maintenance manager (who is back at the job).

The village's population has fallen from 355 in 2000 to 270 in 2020. Petitioners handed in 40 signatures and needed 28.