tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42415440307232516432024-03-27T22:45:37.491-07:00The Recall Elections BlogWho Will Be the Next Victim of the Grand Bounce? A nonpartisan, nonjudgmental look at the “Hair-Trigger” Form of GovernmentJoshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.comBlogger9870125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-19384510970192175152024-03-27T22:44:00.000-07:002024-03-27T22:44:53.735-07:00UK: Another MP resigns in the face of recall effort<p><a href="https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/tory-mp-scott-benton-resigns-rishi-sunak-by-election/">One more MP</a> is gone thanks to the recall. MP <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/ex-tory-mp-scott-benton-loses-appeal-against-commons-suspension-paving-way-for-by-election-13076043">Scott Benton</a> (Conservative) resigned after being suspended for telling an undercover reporter he'd break lobbying rules for money. Benton has a 35 day suspension ahead and has already been suspended from the Conservative Party. The seat is a close one, so not a good sign for the Conservatives (Labour has done well in recent recalls). <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/scott-benton-byelection-tory-mp-rishi-sunak-lobbying-scandal-commons-suspension-b1140249.html">Petitioners needed</a> over 10,000 signatures to get on the ballot.</p><p>As with other recalls in UK, a suspension of 10 days from Parliament leads to the ability to start a recall petition. If enough signatures are gathered, the official is automatically removed and a by-election is scheduled. </p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-32797494358138696302024-03-27T22:42:00.000-07:002024-03-27T22:42:34.700-07:00California: Petitions approved against California Governor<p><a href="https://www.10news.com/news/california-secretary-of-state-approves-signature-gathering-for-newsom-recall">Petitions have </a>been approved in another <a href="https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/politics/2024/02/26/political-group-launches-effort-to-recall-ca-gov--gavin-newsom">recall attempt</a> against California <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/26/newsom-recall-budget-2024-00143252">Governor Gavin Newsom</a>. This time focused on the budget deficit and Newsom's role as a campaign surrogate for President Joe Biden. This is the seventh attempt filed against Newsom (including the recall he defeated). </p><p>Petitioners would need 1,311,963 signatures by September 3 to get to the ballot. This is significantly less than the 1,495,709 needed last time (the reason for the drop off is a drop off in voting for governor between the 2018 and 2022 races. The number needed is 12% of turnout).</p><div>Newsom is nowhere near the record holder for recall attempts agianst. Unsurprisingly, Jerry Brown is the California State Record holder, with 12 (including AG recall attempts). T<span color="inherit" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-align: inherit; white-space: inherit;">he Duke (Deukmejian) had 11, Wilson had 8, Schwarzenegger had 7. The immortal Cuthbert Olsen had 5, Pat Brown 3 and Gray Davis only had 3. Supreme Court Chief Justice Rose Bird had 9 -- but was kicked out in retention election, not a recall.</span></div>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-87156133392642034832024-03-25T15:10:00.000-07:002024-03-25T15:10:50.371-07:00Virgin Islands: Supreme Court tosses lawsuit by former Senator over whether official can be expelled absent a recall<p>The <a href="https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/top-court-dismisses-lawsuitfiled-by-expelled-lawmaker/article_b280db10-b784-5541-8c1d-6e8313c80816.html">Virgin Islands Supreme Court </a>has tossed out a lawsuit by former Senator Steven Payne Sr. who was expelled for sexual harassment. Payne argued that he could only be removed by a recall vote. </p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-42557726761010753472024-03-25T15:06:00.000-07:002024-03-25T15:06:34.127-07:00California: UC Santa Barbara Student Body President facing recall effort led by anti-Semitic groups<p>UC <a href="https://dailynexus.com/2024-03-23/petition-to-recall-a-s-president-tessa-veksler-released/">Santa Barbara Student</a> Body President <a href="https://dailynexus.com/2024-03-23/petition-to-recall-a-s-president-tessa-veksler-released/">Tessa Veksler</a>, who has faced a wave of anti-Semitic comments by supporters of the October 7th massacre of Jews, is facing a recall effort. Petitioners need signatures from 10% of voters 327 signatures).</p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-70253603550329268982024-03-25T14:48:00.000-07:002024-03-25T14:48:06.580-07:00Louisiana: Petitions set to be taken out against St. Tammany Parish Coroner<p>With <a href="https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/investigations/new-st-tammany-coroner-expected-to-swiftly-face-recall-petition-parish-president-says/289-e3c467a5-345e-4375-9bf7-f1e11d283047">St. Tammany Parish </a>Coroner <a href="https://www.wdsu.com/article/st-tammany-coroner-elect-sex-abuse-allegation-history/46802168">Christopher Tape</a> refusing to step down before his term begins, petitioners are now claiming that they will start a recall effort against him. Tape is facing the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIGy1oC7PDI">recall threat</a> over sex abuse allegations that were dismissed in 2003 over a claim of a violation of a right to a speedy trial. Tape was fired by the previous coroner over claims of violating the confidentiality policy.</p><p>Petitioners would need more than 37,000 signatures to get on the ballot.</p><p>10 years ago, St. Tammany Parish Coroner <a href="https://recallelections.blogspot.com/2013/10/louisiana-st-tammany-parish-coroner.html">Peter Galvan</a> resigned during recall efforts over theft.</p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-79149550988904130232024-03-25T14:34:00.000-07:002024-03-25T14:34:44.380-07:00Michigan: New petitions taken out against Marquette Area Public School Board members<p><a href="https://www.upmatters.com/news/klipp-ray-targets-of-yet-another-recall-petition-over-high-schools-rebranding/">New petitions </a>have been taken out against Marquette Area Public School <a href="https://wzmq19.com/news/317321/recall-language-filed-against-two-maps-board-members-following-vote-to-retire-nickname/">Board Member Jennifer Klipp</a> and Jennifer Ray over their vote to remove the high school team nicknames Redmen and Redette, due to their offensive nature. The petition is officially about complaint about expenses, though it seems to be about the name change. Petitioners <a href="https://www.upmatters.com/news/maps-redmen-recall-effort-what-happens-next/?ipid=promo-link-block1">need 3697 signatures</a> to get on the ballot.</p><p>An earlier petition failed to get out of the clarity/factualness hearing. </p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-14675933946122153542024-03-22T17:44:00.000-07:002024-03-22T17:44:27.328-07:00Wisconsin: Assembly Speaker Vos continues to assail recall effort, Supreme Court to weigh in<p><a href="https://www.cbs58.com/news/dozens-of-recall-signatures-under-investigation-for-fraud-vos-renews-push-for-recall-reform">There are now claims</a> that the recall effort against <a href="https://recallelections.blogspot.com/2024/03/wisconsin-signatures-handed-in-against.html">Assembly Speaker Robin Vos</a> has fraudulently signed names, as Vos is once again pushing to change the recall law to a malfeasance standard/judicial recall one. </p><p>The <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/03/12/signatures-to-force-robin-vos-recall-fall-short-initial-review-shows/72941641007/">Wisconsin Election Commission</a> announced that the recall against will not make the ballot, as petitioners seem to have fallen 945 signatures short. <a href="https://wtmj.com/news/politics/2024/03/21/robin-vos-database-identify-false-signatures-recall-petition/">They handed in 11,000</a> and needed about 7K, so that is a really bad result -- unless due a new question about the districting (<a href="https://www.weau.com/2024/03/19/wisconsin-supreme-court-prepares-weigh-recall-election-question/">which the Supreme Court</a> is now going to rule on). Vos is claiming that there were 300-400 duplicates and half the signatures came from outside the eligible area.</p><p><a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/3/12/2228905/-Morning-Digest-Big-Lie-pushers-aim-to-recall-Wisconsin-Republican-for-not-pushing-Big-Lie-enough?fbclid=IwAR3RqzEPRCiWdC4u7a_s9yRdbFPeA-mtgelwg0iLeFo2vw--_A-NNdf_7uI">The Daily Kos</a> has a good explanation for the challenge of deciding what district Vos is a part of (this is after the old districts were tossed out by the State Supreme Court). </p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-80820678651067653352024-03-22T17:34:00.000-07:002024-03-22T17:34:15.505-07:00Nebraska: October recall leads to surprising results, as ousted officials appointed to other city jobs<p>The October 10 recall of Brownville Trustees <a href="https://www.hastingstribune.com/news/recalls-and-name-calling-the-political-fight-fracturing-a-small-nebraska-town/article_c8b5ac1c-e7ea-11ee-bc0d-6f17da960b50.html">Natisha Helmick-Winkelman</a> and Terry Vice and the resignation of Trustee <a href="https://rivercountry.newschannelnebraska.com/story/49576261/bindle-resigns-ahead-of-brownville-recall">Bailey Bindle</a> has led to some interesting results. The two ousted members were appointed to newly created jobs (parks superintendent and utility superintendent and deputy clerk), which is seen as an insult to the residents (the town 140 people).</p><p>The issue for the recall was the departure of the water operator and the replacement with Winkelman as well as members being paid $25/hour for village tasks.</p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-1284719015481086692024-03-22T17:07:00.000-07:002024-03-22T17:07:59.319-07:00Colorado: Two Cherokee Metro District Board set for recall vote on June 4<p>Recalls against two Cherokee Metropolitan District Board members, <a href="https://gazette.com/government/cherokee-metro-district-board-members-to-face-recall/article_a2a86d98-e7a4-11ee-a9f5-cb77c2d6d451.html">Steve Hasbrouck </a>and Linda Keleher, have gotten to the June 4 ballot as a standalone special election. The issue is water quality (the hardness of water wearing out household appliances). </p><p>Petitioners handed in 437 signatures, and (apparently) 428 were verified. Petitioners needed 300.</p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-34634801056915155392024-03-22T16:59:00.000-07:002024-03-22T16:59:09.010-07:00Ohio: Petitions taken out against University Heights Mayor<p>Petitions <a href="https://www.cleveland19.com/2024/03/11/recall-drive-mayor-has-begun-university-heights/">have been taken out</a> against University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan. Petitioners claim it is over <a href="https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/news/local_news/university-heights-pac-focuses-efforts-on-recalling-mayor-brennan/article_581ef464-e4bf-11ee-a67b-2b842eb55b4b.html">inappropriate behavior and defamation</a> as well as a host of other complaints. Brennan argues that it is over the celebration of Juneteenth, which he claims are pushing to turn it into "Diversity Day" while Brennan notes that Juneteenth is a federal holiday, though petitioners deny this.</p><p>Petitioners need 1177 signatures in 100 days. </p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-45919968864436933732024-03-21T07:08:00.000-07:002024-03-21T07:08:04.210-07:00California: LA Times editorial complains about "undemocratic" recall law<p><a href="https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-03-19/editorial-newsom-recall-still-not-fixed-undemocratic-rules">The LA Times</a> is banging the drum on the "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTRKCXC0JFg">undemocratic"</a> nature of the recall -- that the Governor and other state officials can be replaced by someone who wins with a smaller vote total than the official they are replacing and calling for the adoption of a <a href="https://recallelections.blogspot.com/2024/02/california-state-senate-approves.html">Constitutional Amendment </a>to change the law. The amendment would use either the automatic replacement/by-law replacement (the Lieutenant Governor steps in when there is the removal of the Gov) or what apparently is now seen as the vastly more democratic model of having the governor appoint a replacement. If the governor is removed in the first two years, there's a special election after some time; if it is the last two years, then the LG serves out the term. The special would be an additional cost that takes place after the recall -- which may actually result in even lower turnout. </p><p>As<a href="https://recallelections.blogspot.com/2021/03/california-demystifying-plurality.html"> I've written before</a>, this is just begging for disaster. First, it can lead to targeted recalls to remove an official and have an automatic replacement take over without the challenging of running for the seat. In California, where the LG is separately elected (and, prior to the 2000s, frequently from the other party), there may be a desire to test this. The other very likely option would be a multi-official recall, so no appointment will work (and it can just float down to the legislature or lower). If you believe this is unlikely, note that in Wisconsin, the Lieutenant Governor faced just such a recall simply under the concern that the law would be used in such a way that the LG would move up to the Governor's seat in case of a recall. </p><p>One model that is not discussed that would I would recommend to solve the problem is the <a href="https://recallelections.blogspot.com/2021/03/idaho-does-march-9-idaho-recall-results.html">Queen of the Hill rules</a> that Idaho uses. Under that scenario, the recall does not succeed unless the vote total tops the vote received by the official in the original election. </p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-91864796628090772472024-03-20T15:48:00.000-07:002024-03-20T15:48:31.044-07:00California: Woodland School Board Member ousted in Primary Day recall <p>We still don't have<a href="https://www.yoloelections.org/election-returns/returns#woodland-jusd-trustee-area-2-recall"> final numbers</a>, but it seems clear that Woodland School <a href="https://www.kcra.com/article/woodland-joint-unified-scchool-petition-board-member/45739311#">Board Member Emily McDonald</a> was ousted in the March 5 recall -- so far it is 892-510. The recall is over statements she made opposing the school's on transgender policy.</p><p>Petitioners handed in 1349 signatures (not sure how many were verified) and got 1078. </p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-1032731467796358302024-03-19T13:39:00.000-07:002024-03-19T13:39:36.727-07:00California: Alameda DA backers claim signature fraud in recall effortFollowing the report that the signature counting is still ongoing, there are now <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/eastbay/article/supporters-alameda-da-pamela-price-claim-misdeeds-19075178.php">accusations</a> of signature <a href="https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/da-pamela-price-alleges-recall-signature-fraud/">fraud by backers </a>of Alameda County <a href="https://recallelections.blogspot.com/2024/03/california-alameda-county-reports.html">District Attorney Pamela Price</a>. The <a href="https://twitter.com/PPrice_Cares/status/1769773257396293717">claims of fraud</a> seem to be focused on non-county petition gatherers (which may be why the recall did not make the ballot and is likely an unconstitutional measure), petitions being left unattended and luring signers to sign an unrelated petition. Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-8027445930566775162024-03-17T20:42:00.000-07:002024-03-17T20:42:16.046-07:00Idaho: Kamiah Mayor recall makes the ballot<p>The recall of Kamiah<a href="https://www.lmtribune.com/northwest/recall-of-kamiah-mayor-set-to-appear-on-ballot/article_ded5a5a9-b71f-5c77-b4d8-e9b0866888f7.html"> Mayor Betty Heater</a> has made the ballot. The issue is complaints of fiscal mismanagement and lack of administrative control. No word on timing or how many signatures were needed.</p><p><a href="https://ballotpedia.org/City_council_recall,_Kamiah,_Idaho_(2019)">Kamiah faced a recall effort</a> against Councilmembers in 2019 due to their opposition to Heater. The recalls failed due to an administrative ruling after signatures were handed in.</p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-64522829130433511122024-03-17T19:24:00.000-07:002024-03-17T19:24:50.011-07:00Oklahoma: Enid Commissioner recall scheduled for April 2<p><a href="https://okcfox.com/news/local/enid-commissioner-faces-recall-election-accusations-of-ties-to-hate-groups-judd-blevins-connie-vickers-nancy-presnall-ward-1-cheryl-patterson-republican-democrat-neo-nazi-white-supremacist-unite-right-rally-charlottesville-va-virginia-oklahoma-ok-okla">The</a> upcoming <a href="https://kfor.com/news/local/enid-recall-election-gains-enough-signatures-to-proceed/">recall of</a> Enid City <a href="https://www.enidnews.com/news/local_news/recall-election-for-blevins-sought-by-enid-social-justice-committee/article_0e532ace-6fb4-11ee-960e-8bf0c1d0d684.html">Commissioner Judd Blevins</a> has been scheduled for April 2. Cheryl Patterson is running against him.</p><p>Petitioners handed in almost 350 signatures and needed a little over 200. They seemed to have gotten 276 valids. </p><p>The recall is over claims that he was the state coordinator for a white nationalist group (Identity Evropa, which was renamed American Identity Movement) and whether he was at the Charlottesville "Unite the Right" rally. Blevins apologized at a November 21 meeting where the council tabled a censure motion and disavowed any racist group, though he seems to be taking a very different approach now.</p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-77536902913524456482024-03-17T18:28:00.000-07:002024-03-17T18:28:46.663-07:00Canada: Alberta Recall rules facing complaints and discussion of changes<p><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-municipalities-recall-1.7145979">Alberta's Government</a> is discussing potential changes to the recall law, with Wetaskiwin <a href="https://recallelections.blogspot.com/2024/02/canada-wetaskiwin-mayor-facing-petitions.html">Mayor Tyler Gandam</a>, who is facing a recall and is president of Alberta Municipalities, calling for a malfeasance standard. </p><p>Currently, petitioners need to pay $500 and collect 40% of signatures in 60 days. There are grace periods for 18 months after a victory and January 1 to election on the year of the election.</p><p>In addition to a malfeasance standard, there is some discussion that the 40% signature rule is too low in small towns. </p><p>So far only one recall has gotten to the ballot, <a href="https://recallelections.blogspot.com/2023/07/canada-ryley-councilor-facing-recall.html">in Ryley</a>, where the official did not stand for the election, and there has been 11 attempts. </p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-86370522422352061852024-03-17T07:49:00.000-07:002024-03-17T07:49:53.386-07:00Nebraska: Two Brule Village Board Members survive vote<p><a href="https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/brule-village-board-recall-election-unsuccessful-village-clerk-resigns/">Brule Village</a> Board Members <a href="https://nptelegraph.com/two-more-brule-village-board-members-face-recall-elections/article_26e6c086-bbaf-11ee-b5fa-470a6c8990eb.html">Michael Gibson </a>and Brian McNeff survived a March 12 recall vote, with 60 percent in their favors. Three board members resigned last year.</p><p>The recall was alleged to be about a kitchen sink of complaints including disliking officials and jeopardizing water testing. McNeff claimed it was an attempt to prevent an investigation of the village clerk. The village defaulted on a bond payment which McNeff blamed on the clerk (who has since resigned).</p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-61366683387926226082024-03-17T07:45:00.000-07:002024-03-17T07:45:06.798-07:00California: Supertight race in Shasta County won't be decided till March 22 -- Supervisor currently surviving recall<p>The recall results <a href="https://anewscafe.com/2024/03/15/redding/kevin-crye-recall-and-shasta-county-district-2-race-remain-too-close-to-call-district-4-supervisor-patrick-jones-loses-to-matt-plummer/">in Shasta County</a> will have to wait until March 22 before new numbers are announced. Currently, <a href="https://www.actionnewsnow.com/news/local/citizen-group-issues-recall-intent-for-shasta-county-supervisor-kevin-crye/article_a03c3f9a-e3b7-11ed-a01f-e788809050d5.html">Supervisor Kevin Crye</a> is surviving the recall by what looks like 56 votes (<a href="https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/CA/Shasta/120178/web.317647/#/summary">4527-4573</a>) with about 900 still to be counted. </p><p>The recall is over the vote to cancel a voting systems contract with Dominion Voting and requiring handcounting, which will cost the county millions. This is part of the fight in Shasta and Crye seems to be connected to the far right groups, one of whom led the successful recall of <a href="https://recallelections.blogspot.com/2022/02/california-shasta-county-supervisor.html">Supervisor Leonard Moty</a>.</p><p><a href="https://krcrtv.com/news/local/with-enough-verified-signatures-gathered-recall-supporters-shift-focus-to-2024s-primary-election">The recall</a> got the ballot after <a href="https://krcrtv.com/news/local/recall-supporters-for-shasta-county-supervisor-submit-petitions-confident-of-forcing-a-recall-election">petitioners handed</a> in 5104 signatures and 4929 were verified. They need 4151 valids to get on the ballot. Supervisors questioned the small rejection rate. </p><p>Supporters <a href="https://www.redding.com/story/news/politics/2023/06/13/shasta-group-wants-an-election-should-crye-recall-go-through/70317328007/">in Shasta County</a> asked that Governor Gavin Newsom not appoint a replacement if Crye is ousted in a recall and instead allow the voters to choose. <a href="https://recallelections.blogspot.com/2022/10/california-recall-reform-bills-signed.html">As a reminder, in 2022</a>, the state changed the law for local officials who lose a recall election. In that case (unless there is a local law from a charter city), the new law eliminates a replacement election and instead uses an automatic replacement model (with the governor or a specified body making the choice of replacements). The law also explains why there is such a long timeframe until the recall is held (it allows a longer timeframe to tie recalls to general election dates).</p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-46043197612089729312024-03-17T07:36:00.000-07:002024-03-17T07:36:55.228-07:00Florida: Petitions taken out against Coral Gables mayor<p>Petitions have been taken out against Coral Gables <a href="https://ca.news.yahoo.com/advocates-begin-recall-effort-coral-173238634.html">Mayor Vince Lago</a> following the firing of the City Manager and complaints by a commissioner of a "cesspool of public corruption." Lago opposed the ouster of the City Manager. An election last year of two opposition Commissioners has put Lago on the outs with the majority of the commission.</p><p>Lago has been the subject of Miami Herald investigative pieces of his ties to a developer who is the subject of federal investigations.</p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-16203710577720208522024-03-17T07:30:00.000-07:002024-03-17T07:30:51.884-07:00Texas: Dallas City Council member facing recall threats<p>Dallas City Council member <a href="https://dallasexpress.com/city/d11-homeowner-initiates-recall-for-cm-jaynie-schultz/">Jaynie Schultz</a> is facing recall threats about her support for a redevelopment project. Petitioners need about 7200 signatures to make the ballot.<span style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-family: Georgia, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span></p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-69161853494340711592024-03-17T07:27:00.000-07:002024-03-17T07:27:57.180-07:00Michigan: Fourth Recall attempt filed against Flint Council President<p><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2024/03/flint-city-council-president-faces-fourth-recall-attempt-in-six-months.html#:~:text=Lewis%2C%20who%20represents%20the%20city's,signatures%20required%20to%20force%20a">Once more into</a> the breech in Flint, as a fourth <a href="https://flintbeat.com/recall-attempt-against-flint-city-council-president-ladel-lewis-fails-due-to-signature-shortfall/">recall effort was filed against </a>Flint Council <a href="https://flintbeat.com/recall-effort-falls-short-against-flint-city-council-vp-ladel-lewis/">President Ladel Lewi</a>. </p><p>In February, petitioners handed in 1099 signatures and needed 751. They got 629 valids, (strangely they originally had 574 -- not clear what happened).</p><p>An earlier effort said petitioners missed out by 63 signatures. 1022 were handed in and 722 were validated. They needed 785. However, the clerk's office originally misplaced six pages, which led to a second count and the close numbers. </p><p>Previously, the recall of Flint <a href="https://flintbeat.com/county-clerk-announces-recall-election-for-flint-councilwoman-eva-worthing/#:~:text=In%20a%20notice%20on%20Dec,help%20us%20go%20further%2C%20faster.">Councilmember Eva Worthing</a> has gotten on the ballot, as petitioners handed in 546 valid signatures and needed 510. The recall is scheduled for May 7. </p><p>There have also been attempted recalls against <a href="https://flintbeat.com/recall-language-filed-against-flint-city-councilman-dennis-pfeiffer/">Dennis Pfeiffer</a>, Eric Mays and Judy Priestley (with two filed against Priestly). <a href="https://www.abc12.com/news/local/clerk-approves-recall-language-against-3-flint-city-council-members/article_44db9b12-153c-11ee-8a42-1bd67ec8b4b7.html">Herkenroder already</a> announced that she is resigning her seat. No word on the other efforts.</p><p>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. <a href="https://www.wnem.com/2023/06/22/petition-filed-recall-flint-councilman-eric-mays/">Mays has also been</a> charged with disorderly conduct for conduct at the council meetings that has <a href="https://www.theroot.com/15-of-eric-mays-most-hysterical-moments-on-camera-1850258157">apparently gone viral</a>.</p><p>There is also claims about approving a Brownfield Plan.</p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-74209392610286311182024-03-17T07:01:00.000-07:002024-03-17T07:01:16.146-07:00California: Sunol Glen School Board members recall makes the ballot<p>The <a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11979555/two-sunol-school-board-members-to-face-recall-in-july">recall effort</a> against Sunol Glen School Board Trustees <a href="https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/09/14/after-pride-flag-ban-could-a-school-board-recall-in-sunol-succeed/#:~:text=After%20the%20Sunol%20Glen%20Unified,%2C%20which%20passed%202%2D1.">Ryan Jergensen</a> and <a href="https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/some-parents-recall-after-sunol-school-board-votes-against-pride-flags/3317284/">Linda Hurley</a> has made the ballot and is scheduled as a special election on July 2. The recall is after the board voted to limit the school to only flying US or California state flags. The school flew a pride flag during Pride Month. </p><p><a href="https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36030465&MID=28600&Tab=Agenda&enIID=1arcaSjmdE8dNCh8LwIplusplusA%3D%3D">Petitioners handed</a> in 307 signatures for Jergensen and got 300 valids; 306 handed in for Hurley, with 301 valids. They needed 246 signatures to get on the ballot.</p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-3417372919187842502024-03-17T06:37:00.000-07:002024-03-17T06:37:32.322-07:00California: Two Orange Unified School Board members ousted in recall vote<p>While we're still waiting for<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/conservative-orange-unified-school-district-members-concede-defeat-after-recall-vote/"> the final numbers</a>, Orange Unified <a href="https://edsource.org/2023/orange-unifieds-conservative-majority-fires-superintendent-with-a-days-notice/683766">School Board</a> members Madison Klovstad Miner (27,369-23,877) and Rick Ledesma (27,472-23,659) have both lost their races with down 53-47%. The recall is over the firing of the school superintendent with no explanation.</p><p>The school board members are part of a conservative 4-3 majority and the firing was over complaints about policies to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and critical race theory.</p><div class="list-item" data-group="43" data-seq="9621" id="listid_9619" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-top: 15px; width: 746px;"><div class="container-box" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="content" id="raceContentId_9619" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom: none; border-left: 1px solid rgb(211, 211, 211); border-right: 1px solid rgb(211, 211, 211); box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></div></div></div>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-1380013307853855432024-03-15T06:51:00.000-07:002024-03-19T13:37:24.550-07:00California: Alameda County Reports District Attorney Signatures need to go to full handcount<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Alameda County <a href="https://www.acvote.org/acvote-assets/01_homepage/PDFs/recallsignaturecountupdate.pdf">Registrar of Voters</a> has announced that a random sampling method of checking the signatures in the <span>Alameda County District Attorney <a href="https://recallelections.blogspot.com/2024/03/california-123000-signatures-handed-in.html">Pamela Price</a></span><span><a href="https://recallelections.blogspot.com/2024/03/california-123000-signatures-handed-in.html"> recall effort </a>has not led to a <a href="https://www.ktvu.com/news/alameda-county-registrar-to-manually-recount-123k-signatures-to-recall-d-a-pamela-price?taid=65f3a6faa8059200016c33ec&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter">conclusive answer </a>on whether they have enough signatures to make the ballot. The Registrar will now be counting by hand (Props to the Registrar's office for handling it during an election!). However, this leads to some questions. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Petitioners handed in </span><a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/eastbay/article/alameda-da-pamela-price-recall-signatures-18698695.php">123,374 signatures</a> <span>and they need 73,195 valids. <a href="https://www.acgov.org/hrs/documents/charterprintable.pdf">Alameda Charter</a> required that the signatures be fully counted in 10 days. The state law for localities (though not for state-level officials) allows for the sample method -- however, Alameda does not seem to have any such provision. <a href="https://recallelections.blogspot.com/2024/03/california-alameda-county-appears-to.html">Alameda's Measure B</a>, adopting this law (full discussion of what the <a href="https://recallelections.blogspot.com/2023/11/california-alameda-county-supervisors_27.html">law does here</a>), seems to be passing, but it is not official and therefore would not appear to be operative. It's not clear to me why they were allowed to do the sampling method, but it's possible that no one will challenge, so that is that. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">The<a href="https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/recalls/recall-procedures-guide.pdf"> random sampling method</a> that the state uses -- and presumably Alameda uses, though it is not spelled out in the press release -- takes place when there are more than 500 signatures submitted for the recall. Clerks take a 5% sampling of the signatures and determine the number of valid signatures handed in. They then extrapolate -- they multiply the verification rate by the number of total signatures. If the number that comes out leads to valid signatures that would top 110 percent of the minimum number (I believe that would be 80,515 -- 110% X 73,195), the recall automatically qualifies and moves to the ballot. If it is below 90 percent (I believe 65,876), it automatically fails.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">If it falls in the golden zone between 90-110 percent, they then hand-verify each signature. Note that the <a href="https://patch.com/california/petaluma/sonoma-county-district-attorney-face-recall-election">Sonoma County D.A. recall</a> came in at 108%, requiring the manual recount and the <a href="https://recallelections.blogspot.com/2022/07/california-la-district-attorney-recall.html">LA District Attorney recal</a>l came in at 99%. The <a href="https://recallelections.blogspot.com/2021/09/california-sonoma-county-district_17.html">Sonoma one</a> made the ballot (though the DA easily survived the vote), the <a href="https://recallelections.blogspot.com/2022/08/california-another-look-at-los-angeles.html">LA one ultimately failed</a>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Unfortunately, the memo doesn't provide any guidance on how many signatures were checked or what was the verification rate in their sampling method. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The </span><a href="https://www.lavote.gov/docs/rrcc/news-releases/07142022_recall-petition-update.pdf">LA County Registrar</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> provided this detail -- perhaps it will show up. It also doesn't explain if they tossed out signatures from out-of-county gatherers, which may explain the high failure rate. If so, that very well may be overturned by the courts, due to the <a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/1998/97-930">Supreme Court decision</a>, Buckley v. ACLF. Note that recalls are considered a ballot measure by <a href="https://www.fppc.ca.gov/content/dam/fppc/NS-Documents/TAD/Campaign%20Documents/Recall_Elections.pdf">California rules</a> (though not by any case that I know of -- the question is an important for <a href="https://scholarship.law.umn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1365&context=mlr">campaign finance issues</a>). </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">It sounds like they will take 30 days to count from here, though again, the charter seems to be very different. Note that according to the existing charter, the petitioners may have a 10 day cure period (the language is unclear) if the signatures don't meet the requirements. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">If the pre-existing law is used, it does not appear to allow for a signature strike, whereby signers can withdraw their signature from the petitions (<a href="https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article155744799.html">that law</a> was <a href="https://legiscan.com/CA/text/SB96/id/1637461">adopted in 2017</a>). Couldn't tell you how it'll play out though. </span></p>Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241544030723251643.post-5823005744262810342024-03-12T16:24:00.000-07:002024-03-12T16:24:32.562-07:00Wisconsin: Election Commission announces Assembly Speaker recall fails The <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/03/12/signatures-to-force-robin-vos-recall-fall-short-initial-review-shows/72941641007/">Wisconsin Election Commission</a> has announced that the recall against <a href="https://recallelections.blogspot.com/2024/03/wisconsin-signatures-handed-in-against.html">Assembly Speaker Robin Vos</a> will not make the ballot, as petitioners seem to have fallen 945 signatures short. The handed in 11,000 and needed about 7K, so that is a really bad result -- unless due a new question about the districting. <a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/3/12/2228905/-Morning-Digest-Big-Lie-pushers-aim-to-recall-Wisconsin-Republican-for-not-pushing-Big-Lie-enough?fbclid=IwAR3RqzEPRCiWdC4u7a_s9yRdbFPeA-mtgelwg0iLeFo2vw--_A-NNdf_7uI">The Daily Kos</a> has a good explanation for the challenge of deciding what district Vos is a part of (this is after the old districts were tossed out by the State Supreme Court). Joshua Spivakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07153772973095349894noreply@blogger.com0