Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Arizona: Signatures handed in against Mesa Councilmember

Petitioners handed in over 5235 signatures in the recall effort against Mesa Council member Julie Spilsbury.

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.

Sunday, June 1, 2025

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. 

Friday, May 30, 2025

California: San Francisco Supervisor recall scheduled for September 16

The recall election of San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio has made the ballot and is scheduled for September 16. Petitioners handed in 10,985 signatures, with 10.523 valid. They needed 9911. 

The validity rate was 95.8%. It's not clear why they did a full count. They previously announced a 99,3% validity rate, when they checked 549 checked signature using the randomg sampling method. That would suggest that they didn't need to check each one. 

Petitioners handed supposedly collected over 14000, which appears to mean that they did a great job of checking them over (they may have handed in another 300 additional ones).

Here's my last look at signature verification rates for other large recall events.

The recall is over the Engardio's support for the passage of Prop. K, which will lead to a new park and the closing of the Great Highway. 

Proposition K passed with 56% of the vote, but in Engardio's district, the vote was 63.7% opposed, so real risk. 

The lead petition resigned from the role over debates about spending -- reportedly, the campaign has spent over $100,000 for signature collection and is looking to put in some more, though they are in debt. Engardio has a 4-1 advantage in funds. 

Sunday, May 25, 2025

California: San Francisco Supervisor recall appears to make the ballot, with 99.3% verification rate

The recall effort against San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio appears to have made the ballot, with an incredible 99.3% of the 549 checked signatures verified (in the randomg sampling method -- so 4 of 549). Petitioners handed in 10,700 signatures  though supposedly they collected over 14000, which appears to mean that they did a great job of checking them over (they may have handed in another 300 additional ones). They need 9911 and under the sampling, they would get 10,525. 

Here's my last look at signature verification rates for other large recall events.

The recall is over the Engardio's support for the passage of Prop. K, which will lead to a new park and the closing of the Great Highway. 

Proposition K passed with 56% of the vote, but in Engardio's district, the vote was 63.7% opposed, so real risk. 

The lead petition resigned from the role over debates about spending -- reportedly, the campaign has spent over $100,000 for signature collection and is looking to put in some more, though they are in debt. Engardio has a 4-1 advantage in funds. 

Alaska: Palmer Mayor recall survives recall vote

Palmer Mayor Steve Carrington survived a recall vote 222-176 after 202 other ballot counted (Palmer trailed 99-97 on Election Day. Turnout was about 8%. 

The recall appears to be over over a $75K severance payment to a city manager who served for 53 days. The complaint is focused on Open Meeting Act violations.

Three Palmer City Councilmembers were kicked out in a recall in 2022. The lead petitioner against the three councilmembers is also leading the effort against Carrington. Carrington was elected in 2022, but served for a decade on the council. 

Friday, May 23, 2025

California: Signatures handed in against San Francisco Supervisor

Petitioners have handed in 10,700 signatures for the recall effort against San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio, though supposedly they collected over 14000, which could mean that they feel they done a better job of checking them over. They need 9911, so this could be close.

They will use a random sampling method (I explain it here), where they will check 5% -- or 595. Here's my last look at signature verification rates.

The recall is over the Engardio's support for the passage of Prop. K, which will lead to a new park and the closing of the Great Highway. 

Proposition K passed with 56% of the vote, but in Engardio's district, the vote was 63.7% opposed, so real risk. 

Petitioners need about 9400 signatures by late May.

The lead petition resigned from the role over debates about spending -- reportedly, the campaign has spent over $100,000 for signature collection and is looking to put in some more, though they are in debt. Engardio has a 4-1 advantage in funds. 

Florida: Cape Coral Mayor facing petitions

Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter is facing a recall effort over a vote to turn over part of a creek preserve into a water and pumping facility. He also is facing criticism for an alleged $60,000 stipend that was proposed in the past.

Petitioners need 7000 signatures (5%) in 30 days to clear the first stage and then have 60 days to get 15% of voters -- so perhaps 21000? The stories don't seem to explain it. 

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Alaska: Palmer Mayor recall super close with ballots still to be counted

Very close race in the recall against Palmer Mayor Steve Carrington, who is currently losing 99-97, with another 193 ballots to be counted.

The recall appears to be over over a $75K severance payment to a city manager who served for 53 days. The complaint is focused on Open Meeting Act violations.

Three Palmer City Councilmembers were kicked out in a recall in 2022. The lead petitioner against the three councilmembers is also leading the effort against Carrington. Carrington was elected in 2022, but served for a decade on the council. 

Colorado: Mountain View Councilmember ousted

Mountain View Councilman Brent John Metz was ousted in a recall, l127-72, and was replaced by Ryan Debner. 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. 

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Rhode Island: Westerly Town Council President facing petitions

Petitions have been taken out against Westerly Town Council President Chris Duhamel. The recall is over a suit about a right of way and access to a beach. The article mentions that they need 20% of turnout, though it seems that voters cast ballots for multiple officials (somewhere near 13000 voted in the presidential. They have 45 days.