Texas: Houston Mayor recall effort set to start in fall

The lead petitioners for the recall effort against Houston Mayor John Whitmire (D) has said that they are planning on kicking off a campaign in the fall. 

The recall is over general complaints about incompetence, but seems to be focused on the specific policy issue seems to be a water plan.

Petitioners need about 63,000 signatures in 30 days (25% of turnout). The article notes that they are shooting for 64,000 signatures, but perhaps something is lost in translation there, as that would require an extremely unlikely success rate.

Florida: Fort Myers Beach councilmembers are approved for reimbusement

The Fort Myers Town Council has agreed (as provided for by Florida law) to reimburse Fort Myers Beach Councilmembers John King and Karen Woodson over a recall effort. The recall is over claims of unreported gifts for land use approvals from a developer (seemingly a meal), a debate over who would replace a town attorney and violation of the Sunshine laws. Fort Myers has a malfeasance standard, so a judge will probably weigh in here. 

Former councilmembers Ray Murphy and Bill Veach are leading the effort and have hit the first hurdle of 10% of signatures. Petitioners would need 25% of voters (which seems like between 700-800) within 60 days.  

Note that Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt is quotes as saying that the recall process "encourages slander, defamation and innuendo and those being recalled are guilty until proven innocents."

Taiwan: Five KMT associates charged with forging signatures

Five people connected with the Kuomintang (KMT) Party are facing charges over forging signatures for the recall of two Democratic Progressive Party lawmakers. 

The charged individuals are accused of fabricating 5211 signatures. 

Illinois: Further push on recall law for mayor

Here's more on the new push for allowing a recall law for mayor.

Ohio: Cleveland Height Mayor fails to make ballot for reelection, still facing recall efforts

New developments here in the Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren recall effort. Seren has failed to make the ballot for a reelection race,  he needed 342 but was 39 short (a number of petitioners had signed other petitions as well). However, Seren is still facing a recall effort over claims that his wife has allegedly made numerous anti-Semitic comments against city employees and other officials and a civil rights complaint filed against him. Seren is also being faulted for a high turnover rate and failed budget process. 

Petitioners need about 2900 signatures to get on the ballot (25% of turnout). If a recall is held, it would be September 9, the same day as the primary.

Alaska: Recall effort started against nine Kenai Peninsula School Board members

Petitioners are being taken out against nine Kenai Peninsula School Board Members, Zen Kelly, Jason Tauriainen, Virginia Morgan, Penny Vadla, Tim Daugharty, Patti Truesdell, Sarah Douthit, Kelley Cizek and Dianne MacRae. 

The recall is over complaints about a proposed health clinic at a high school. The first set of petitions were rejected because they focused on the school superintendent. The leader of the recall, Jeanne Reveal, ran and lost for a seat on the school board last year.

Alaska: North Slope Borough Mayor recall fails

The recall effort against North Slope Borough Mayor Josiah Aullaqsruaq Patkotak has failed, with petitioners handing in 153 signatures (and needing 371). Petitioners are claiming that the county made changes to the petitions and delayed it. 

No word on the recall effort against North Slope Borough Assembly President Crawford Patkotak, who is the father of the mayor.

The recalls were over complaints over allegedly misusing funds for travel expenses for the mayor's family. The President allegedly did not disclose a personal interest when approving compensation for travel.

Apparently, the salary for the position of the Mayor is over $280,000. 

In 2016, a previous Mayor, Charlotte Brower, was kicked out with a recall for sending her grandchildren to a basketball camp in California, among other issues.

California: Recall effort launched against Mountain View Whisman School Board member

A recall attempt has been launched against Mountain View Whisman School Board member Devon Conley. The issue is complaints about cost and spending, including executive leadership coaching and mediation sessions and the resignation of the Superintendent. There was also a battle over tax revenue with the city.

It seems like petitioners would need about 7,931 signatures to get on the ballot.

Maine: Hartford Councilmember ousted

Hartford Councilwoman Kathleen Landry was kicked out 219-187. The recall was over claims of harassment and incivility. 

California: Petitions taken out against two San Benito County Supervisors

San Benito County Supervisors Kollin Kosmicki and Ignacio Velasquez are facing recall efforts over complaints about the city of Hollister's fire services contract and the county's finances. Kosmicki claims that the recall is over their opposition to housing growth policies. 

Former Hollister Councilmember Rick Perez and former County Planning Commissioner Celeste Toledo-Bocanegra are leading the recall effort. 

Petitioners need 1736 signatures for Kosmicki and 1833 for Velasquez.

Velasquez previously faced a recall effort in 2021 (led by Toledo-Bocanegra), though it did not get to the ballot.

Maine: Dexter School Board members ousted

Dexter School Board Members Judy Saunders (382-186) and Alisha Ames (387-131) were ousted in June 10th recall votes. are facing the voters on June 10th. The pro-recall group is called "Stop the Power Trip!" The group complains about conflict of interest including Ames' involvement/leadership of a homeschool co-op (where's she's the pastor) and that Saunders' daughter works in the district.

Petitioners handed in 363 signatures against Ames and 350 for Saunders. They needed 296.

Washington: Sunnyside Councilmembers facing recall threats

There are threats against Sunnyside Councilmember Theresa Hancock over complaints about her practices. The recall effort started after the council placed the City Manager on leave in a 5-2 vote.

Colorado: Three Palmer Lake Mayor resigns

Palmer Lake Mayor Glant Havenar resigned in the face of a recall effort, though no word on the recall effort against Trustees Shana Ball, Kevin Dreher and Dennis Stern. Havenar had a six month grace period, such petitions hadn't been taken out yet.

The issue appears to be the construction of a travel center (Buc-ee's restaurant) on the highway, with the land annexed to the town. The complaint seems to be about traffic, though the article notes a significant amount of fighting within the town over the subject.

Arizona: Signatures handed in against Mesa Councilmember

Petitioners handed in over 5235 signatures in the recall effort against Mesa Council member Julie Spilsbury (though apparently 5092 have been verified as handed in).

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 also mentioned transgender and DEI issues.

Petitioners need 3070 valid signatures.

Idaho: Caldwell recall effort fails

No signatures were handed in for the recall of Caldwell Mayor Jarom Wagoner and City Councilmember Geoff Williams, Chris Allgood, Mike Dittenberg and Brad Doty. Petitioners needed 4982 signatures. 

The recall was over the approval of hotel which led to demonstrations for "Save the Dirt Lot." The site is currently used for event parking. There are also complaints about parking meters and the council's approval of the police chief. 

City Council members sent a cease-and-desist letter to the lead petitioner in the recall against  demanding that he stop calling them a "crime family." The petitioner claims the reference is to a conviction for a councilmember's wife for misusing funds two decades ago.

Washington: Online petition seeks recall of Governor

An online petition has been launched for the recall of Washington Governor Bob Ferguson over the passage of the budget. 

The petition has 37,000 signatures, though none of them count at all. Petitioners would also have to get past the malfeasance standard stage, which this almost certain wouldn't meet. 

Ohio: Cleveland Height Mayor facing recall efforts

Petitions have been taken out against Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren, whose wife has allegedly made anti-Semitic comments against city employees and other officials and a civil rights complaint filed against him. Seren is also being faulted for a high turnover rate and failed budget process. 

Petitioners need about 2900 signatures to get on the ballot (25% of turnout). 

Seren is also running for reelection.