Missouri: Can St. Louis Prosecuting Attorney face a recall?

Following the Ferguson Grand Jury decision last week, here's an article on the possibility of recalling St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch. The political science professor quoted in the article seems to feel that recalls infrequently work and are used for kicking people out for corruption. I'd hope that the thousands of posts on this blog serve as a definitive refutation of the second part of that statement (and, if he means that once on the ballot they fail, the first part as well). That said, the recall would be a big challenge to get on the ballot. Petitioners would need 104,000 valid signatures to get the recall on the ballot.

Arizona: Article on the chances of recalling new Superintendent of Public Instruction

No one asked me, but I'll be happy to take bets of anyone who thinks that this is going to get to the ballot. They need more than 367,000 signatures. This would be the fourth most signatures ever compiled for a recall.

Philippines: Supreme Court orders Puerto Princesa Mayor recall

The Philippines Supreme Court has ordered a recall of Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Bayron after Comelec resolutions stopped all recall proceedings due to a stated lack of funds. Petitioners handed in 40,409 signatures (needed 19,335).

Massachusetts: Saugus recall scheduled for February 3

Four members of the Saugus Board of Selectmen are facing a recall scheduled for February 3 over their vote to fire the town manager. Petitioners needed 4,441 signatures. They handed in more than 5,400 per  Chairman Ellen Faiella (4,929) Vice Chairman Maureen Dever(4,859), Paul Allan (4949) and Stephen Castinetti (4,909) are all on the ballot. A fifth selectmen, who voted to retain the town manager, did not face a recall effort.

Louisiana: Gonzales City Councilman resigns two weeks before recall vote

Gonzales city councilman Gary Lacombe resigned before his December 6 recall. Councilman Timothy Vessel is still up for recall on the 6th.

Massachusetts: Fall River recall results in sloppy campaigns

Here

South Carolina: Petition drive starts to put in recall in South Carolina

Here

California: Yorba Linda recall shows dangers of drop in voter turnout

Here's an op-ed column from Jim Drummond on the subject.

Louisiana: Coushatta Councilman recall fails

Rejected signatures doomed the recall attempt against Coushatta Town Councilman Mallory Parsons Sr. Petitioners needed 497 signatures (33% of registereds). They got 581, but 89 were deemed invalid and 60 were not registered. They were left with 432.

Massachusetts: Erving adopts recall law

Erving adopted a recall law in a city vote, 44 to 37, though it still needs state legislative and gubernatorial approval before it goes into effect. Of particular interest is that the Selectmen Board Chairman William Bembury proposed an amendment to require a list of reasons for the recall to take place. This amendment failed 44-33.

Petitioners would need 20% of registered voters signature in 20 days (about 200 signatures). There is also a six month waiting period at the start of the term. This is a one-day, two-step process, with an up-or-down vote on the recall and a vote for the successor in case of removal. The incumbent can run in the successor race -- and is actually automatically included on the ballot, unless he or she asked to be removed.

Ohio: Seven Hills City Council President facing threats

Seven Hills City Council President Mike Barth is facing recall threats over his support to rezone part of a neighborhood as an elderly care district. Petitioners need about 2,000 signatures.

Michigan: Language rejected in Saginaw Board of Ed member recall

Petition language was rejected in an attempt to recall Saginaw Public School District Board of Education member Rudy Patterson. The issue was "consistently voted against administration recommendations on nearly every substantive financial issue to come before the Board" and he "he has failed to offer alternatives to the recommendations he has voted against." In February, there was an attempt to recall three other board members. That was also rejected.

Michigan: Petitions approved against entire Raisin Township Board

Petition language was approved against all six members of the Raisin Township Board. Supervisor Jay Cavanaugh's recall was started in October, but now petitions have been approved against c>lerk Betty Holdridge, treasurer Kami Johnson and trustees Larry Crittenden, Tom Hawkins, Deb Brousseau and Dale Mitchell. Petitioners will need 590 signatures each.

According to the petition wording, the six officials “voted for purchase of a fire truck costing in excess of $400,000 without advertising for and obtaining competitive sealed bids” and “the board eliminated the opportunity for citizens to comment at the conclusion of board meetings.”

Oregon: Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation District board facing threats over director firing

Northern Wasco County Parks & Recreation District board members Catherine Whalen, Nikki Lesich and Travis Dray are facing recall threats for firing the district director (no reason was given for the termination). Petitioners need somewhere between 850-900 signatures (15% of turnout for governor in the district). Because there wouldn't be a quorom, the Wasco County Commission would have to appoint one new member, who would join with the existing members to appoint two other new members. 

Arizona: South Tucson Mayor facing recall

South Tucson Mayor Paul Diaz is facing an upcoming recall, after petitioners handed in enough signatures to move forward. No word on scheduling yet. The issue seems to be support for a new court system that funnels people into substance abuse treatment.

 Petitioners handed in 320 signatures, 222 of them were valid. They needed 183. 55 of the 98 rejected were signed by non-registered voters (don't usually see that detail of why the signatures were rejected). 

 Diaz moved up to mayor in 2013, and was elected in 2011. 

Montana: Toole County Commission signatures must be counted

A state court rules that signatures handed in against Toole County Commissioner Allen Underdal must be counted.

The issue is whether Underdal violated the law by retaining legal counsel ofor Maris Medical Center's CE) (and paying $57K for the work).

Montana is a malfeasance standard state on the merits, which means there must be a showing of cause before a judge (this didn't count). Petitioners need 15% of registered voters or 390 by December 20

California: Perris City Councilman facing petitions after drug possession

Perris City Councilman Julio Rodriguez is facing petitions after his arrest for drug possession. The arrest came after he called police to a hotel room because his city-issued iPad was stolen. He is also being accused of misusing his travel allowance.  Petitioners need 4,661 signatures by February 25. 

North Dakota: Mapleton Mayor wins recall race

Mapleton Mayor Eric Hillman overwhelming won a recall vote 146-48 against former Councilwoman Carlita Dieta (who lost in June). The recall was led by City Councilman Ryan Johnson, who claimed that Johnson was unprofessional and...

 The mayor was part of a “good ol’ boys” club and gets drunk and starts “talking politics.”

Canada: Wildrose Party again pushing for recalls in Alberta

Here

Massachusetts: Westminster Board of Health withdraws tobacco proposal

Following recall threats last week, the Westminster  Board of Health withdrew their tobacco sales ban proposal. No word on whether the recall has been pulled. Petitioners will need 800 signatures in 20 days.