Michigan: Delta County Commissioners reverse course and certify recall results

A never mind moment -- following last week's challenges in Delta County, where the local board of canvassers refused to certify the ouster of three Delta County Commissioners, they have reversed course and certified the recall.

The board's refusal seemed to be based on claims (by election deniers from the presidential race) that two of challengers had 2.64 votes for every one for the incumbent.  

All three incumbents were blown out in recall races on May 7th, Commissioner Dave Moyle (R) lost to Kelli Van Ginhoven (D) 932-353; Commissioner Robert Barron lost to Myra Croasdell, 1410-514; Commissioners Robert Petersen lost to Matthew Jensen, 947-358. The vote was between 72-73%.

If the board didn't certify by May 20, the issue gets sent to the state to examine at the county's expense.

The recall was over their votes to fire the County Administrator (and apparently over their opposition to DEI issues).

Lots of issues in the signature stage.

Canada: Every signature tossed out in Calgary Mayoral recall effort

Every single signatures in the recall effort against Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek were thrown out. 369 signatures were subject to random sampling. All were missing the "notice of the recall petition" invalidating all 369. Additionally, 27 failed on invalid addresses and 12 had insufficiency affidavits. 6 didn't have witnesses, 2 missed dates, 2 missed petitioner signatures, 1 had a self-witnessing and 1 was a duplicate. 

The recall had already clearly failed, as the lead petitioner stated that he submitted 72,271 signatures and they needed 514,284.

The recall was seemingly over the single-use plastic law, though there is also a kitchen sink listing of complaints as well. This is the first recall attempt in Calgary (the law was adopted province-wide in 2022).

Washington, DC: Complaints about campaign finance on the Councilmember recalls

Supporters of Washington DC Councilmember Charles Allen have filed a complaint alleging violations of campaign finance laws by the recall proponents. The issue seems to be independent expenditures. The recall efforts against two Washington, D.C. Councilmembers are heating up, with petitioners claiming that they have 4500 signatures for the recall effort against . They are looking for 10K.  There is also complaints about a tip line for the recall of .

The recall of Allen and Councilmember Brianne Nadeau  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. 

UK: Wales Parliament (Snedd) considers recall law

The Senedd, the Welsh Parliament, is considering adopting a recall law that copies UK law, which would allow recalls if an MP is suspended for 10 days. 

Massachusetts: Monterey voters approve recall provision

Monterey voters overwhelmingly approved a recall provision (75-9). Petitioners would need 15% of registereds to get a recall on the ballot.

Michigan: Delta County Commissioners replacement held up by board of canvassers refusing to certify blow-out results

New challenges in Delta County, as the local board of canvassers refused to certify the ouster of three Delta County Commissioners. The board's refusal seems to be based on claims (by election deniers from the presidential race) that two of challengers had 2.64 votes for every one for the incumbent.  

All three incumbents were blown out in recall races on May 7th, Commissioner Dave Moyle (R) lost to Kelli Van Ginhoven (D) 932-353; Commissioner Robert Barron lost to Myra Croasdell, 1410-514; Commissioners Robert Petersen lost to Matthew Jensen, 947-358. The vote was between 72-73%.

If the board doesn't certify by May 20, the issue gets sent to the state to examine at the county's expense.

The recall is over their votes to fire the County Administrator (and apparently over their opposition to DEI issues).

Lots of issues in the signature stage.

Washington, DC: Recall effort filed against Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner

A recall effort has been started against Washington DC Southwest Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Mary C. Williams. Williams was a leader in the recall effort last year against Councilmember Sharon Ambrose (which didn't make the ballot). 

The lead petitioner claims that Williams is a "shameless self-promotor" who launched a "smear campaign" against Ambrose. Williams also filed a defamation suit against the lead petitioner.

The article notes that this is the seventh recall attempt against an ANC commissioner in the last two years (though none made the ballot). 

California: Recall against three Avenal's Reef-Sunset School Board members makes the ballot

Signatures have been handed in against Avenal's Reef-Sunset School Board members Claudia Cazares, Lilia Rizo and Lissette Padilla. The recall is scheduled to be held on Election Day (November 5th). Petitioners handed in 582 signatures.

There were also attempts against President Lupe Chavez and Trustee Precilla Barrera-Lopez, which both failed. 

The leader of the recall effort was a former employee and coach.

The recall is supposed to cost approximately $35,000. 

California: Alameda District Attorney Recall set for Election Day (November 5)

Ending months of debate (and potentially leading to lawsuits), the Alameda Board of Supervisors voted to schedule the recall of District Attorney Pamela Price for Election Day, November 5. This was the latest possible date, one that was (and remains) a source of controversy. The recall was only put on that date due to delays in counting the signatures.

According to the Registrar, the recall as a special election would cost $15-20 Million, while a recall on the same day as a general election will cost $4 million. 

Price responded here. Congressman Eric Swalwell has also gotten into a bit of a war of words with Price after a postal carrier was mugged on the route. 

Michigan: Camden-Frontier School Board members survive recall votes

Two Camden-Frontier School Board members, Jesse Crow and Emily Morrison, survived recall votes. Morrison defeated Sarah Wilcox, 202-156  and Crow defeated Rick Hartman, 190-168.  The recall was over their vote in favor of retiring the school's Redskins mascot.

Petitioners handed in 418 signatures for Crow and 414 for Morrison. They need 348. 

This was a second attempt against the two. Petitioners had previously gathered 400 and 398 signatures, but all but 10 were thrown out because the sheets did not have the header information.

Oregon: Signatures handed in against Three Morrow County Commissioners

Signatures have been handed in for the recall of Morrow County Commissioners, David Sykes, Jeff Wenholz and Roy Drago Jr. The issues seem to be a kitchen sink grouping, including changes to the ambulance service plan, transparency, water issues, and hiring more administrators. 

In 2022, two Morrow Commissioners were ousted in a recall. Drago was appointed to replace one of them (and Wenholz defeated the other in a general election).

Petitioners handed in 725, 748 and 726 signatures and needs 613 valids for each (15% of gubernatorial turnout).

Drago is running in a May 21 primary as well. 

Michigan: Ousted Adams Township Clerk facing charges for unauthorized access to election data

Adams Township Clerk Stephanie Scott (R), who was ousted in 2023 along with  Supervisor Mark Nichols, was charged with illegally accessing election data. 

Scott was accused of removing a tabulation from an election device, which has led to a State Police investigation. She was then banned from running the 2021 election by the Secretary of State. Nichols voted against spending $5,500 for a new ballot tabulator and publicly supported Scott's actions.

Texas: Dickinson Mayor resigns in face of new recall threat

Dickinson Mayor Sean Skipworth announced that he is resigning in the face of a new recall effort, with a special election to be held in November. The recall was over claims that he "failed to meet fiduciary responsibilities." There are a host of other complaints, including over his support for the hiring a city manager who has faced assault charges.

Dickinson has been the source of a bitter battle over the recall. The city attorney previously claimed that the recall was invalid after petitioners handed in about 1150 signatures and needed 689 valids (they had 30 days). The City Attorney said that the petitions did not confirm the number of signatures on each page; questions of who was facing a recall; and a lack of specifications on the recall claims.

Dickinson's auditor rejected a second attempt over claims that it didn't meet the specification requirement (a malfeasance standard/judicial recall law) for a recall to be allowed.

Skipworth also protested  that the non-city residents are gathering signatures, which violates local laws, though that law itself may violate US law (maybe?). 

Washington, DC: Recall efforts heating up against two Councilmembers

The recall efforts against two Washington, D.C. Councilmembers are heating up, with petitioners claiming 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.

North Carolina: House bill proposing allowing referendum for Leland to adopt recall law

Leland voters may soon get a chance to adopt a recall law, as Representative Frank Iler (R) introduced House Bill 1062 that will allow a referendum in Leland to change the charter to adopt recall laws. The vote would be in November 2025. Under the proposed rule, they would need 25% of registered voters.

Leland Mayor Brenda Bozeman claims that the town is not asking for this provision.

Ohio: Lorain Mayor facing recall threats

Recall efforts have been started against Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley. Unfortunately, this is all behind a paywall and I see no other stories on what may have precipitated the issue. We'll have to wait for further news. 

California: Pro-recall forces heavily outraise DA in Alameda District Attorney recall

The pro-recall forces against Alameda District Attorney Pamela Price have topped a $3 million fundraise, with $1.1 million being brought in for the first quarter of 2024.  In the first quarter, Price's team raised $26,284 and spent $81,655. 

Michigan: Flint replaces Councilmember who resigned after recall got to the ballot

Jonathan Jarrett won the replacement race for Flint Councilmember Eva Worthing. The recall of Worthing got on the ballot and then announced that she would not running in the May 7th recall (which became a special replacement election). 

Jarrett beat Page Brousseau and Kathryn Irwin, 247-145-85.

The recall, was part of internal battle in the council, with numerous recalls filed, though only Worthing got to the ballot. Worthing was accused of missing a meeting when they voted on American Rescue Plan funds.

In her resignation, Worthing called out four other councilmembers, led by Eric Mays, against whom there were recall efforts. The four were Dennis Pfeiffer, Eric Mays, Jerri Winfrey-Carter and Tonya Burns (recall were filed against Pfeiffer and Mays).

The recall is over claims that Mays and another councilmember called a meeting that they others did not attend over the question of applying for a community grant program funding. Mays has also been charged with disorderly conduct for conduct at the council meetings that has apparently gone viral.

There is also claims about approving a Brownfield Plan.

Four recall efforts have been filed against Flint Council President Ladel Lewi. Two were filed against councilmember Judy Priestley (with two filed against Priestly). Former Council President Allie Herkenroder already announced that she was resigning her seat last year. 

Michigan: Ypsilanti Councilmember survives recall vote

Ypsilanti Councilmember Desirae Simmons (D) survived a recall vote, defeating former Ypsilanti Planning Commission Chairman Rod Johnson (I) 467-429.

The recall was over a vote to purchase a $3.7M building, A former Councilmember was the broker of the deal and may make $100,000 on it. 

The recall against council member Jennifer Symanns led to her resignation, though petitioners have stopped their effort against Mayor Nicole Brown.