Illinois: Mayor's supporters attempting to gather signatures against three Dolton trustees

Some more details on the Dolton recall that is now before a judge (ruling expected next month). Mayor Riley Rogers' supporters are leading the charge -- they need 891 signatures (25% of turnout in the last mayoral election) -- though it may be that the signatures have to be from the voters who actually voted (the story is unclear -- and I'm not sure that requirement passes muster). Petitioner needs to have it in by December 14, with a vote on March 15.

Texas; Petitions against Denton's council member over fracking rejected due to filing too early timing issues

The attempt to recall Council member Joey Hawkins was rejected, because the signatures were handed in too early. Hawkins was elected on May 9 and sworn in on May 19, when the 180 day clock starts (petitioners cannot submit a recall until the official has been in office 6 months). Petitioner handed in 125 signatures and need 76. The issue is Hawkins vote to overturn an initiative banning hydraulic fracking.

There is also an ongoing effort to recall council member Kevin Roden.

Oklahoma: Midwest City Mayor recall set to make the ballot

Petitioners handed in almost 1100 signatures for the recall of Mayor Dee Collins. They only needed 433. A former police officer is going to run (Collins himself is a former police officer).

South Dakota: Two Hartford Councilmembers resign after vote to reject mayoral recall petitions

The vote was 4-3, but the resignations were one from each side.

Texas: Crystal City Mayor, Councilmen recall not moving forward due to "absurd" interpretation of high signature bar requirement

Crazy story here, but one that fits into the usual pattern: Efforts to recall Crystal City Mayor Ricardo Lopez and Councilmen Roel Mata and Marco Rodriguez have hit one of the usual sources of trouble -- administrative attempts to kill a recall.

The City Attorney/Manager James Jonas III (who is described as the "ultimate target of the recall" for reasons seen below), tossed out more than 1200 signatures after ruling that the petitions require more signatures based on an extremely novel interpretation of the law. Apparently (and I can't verify this info online -- Crystal City's got a big Popeye picture on the webpage, but not much else), 1931 people voted in the general election on May 9 that sets the standard for the recall. Crystal City has a requirement that petitioners get 51% of turnout, which would seem to require about 966 signatures. However, Jonas has decided to count the total votes of both council races combined as the number needed -- which is something over 3600 votes. Therefore, petitioners would need over 1800 signatures


A former Director of Elections for Texas (in the Secretary of State's office) calls the ruling "wrong" and "absurd." I can't recall a similar interpretation of the signature law, though also worth noting that the 51% requirement is extremely high.

The petition lists Jonas' contract, increasing taxes and utility fees and a failure to provide an audit. However Jonas seems to be the issue -- he is a former Republican DC lobbyist who was once jailed for failure to pay child support (he pays between $11K-$12K a month in child support). His pay is apparently three times what the town formerly spent on a city manager and part-time city attorney and his $216,000 salary is about half of the town's total $500,000 yearly property tax receipts.

Kansas: Topeka council member facing recall threats over aggravated battery against children charges

Topeka Council member Jonathan Schumm is facing recall threats due to an investigation of aggravated battery against children. The article notes the difficulty of getting a recall on the ballot

Arizona: Recall effort against Tucson School Board fails to hand in signatures

Here and some more info here.

California: Some more details on the recall effort against Carson City Clerk

There has been a number of stories about the recall of Carson City Clerk Jim Dear. This is the first one that I've seen that focuses on his proposing a statute of Ataturk.

Illinois: Chicago Tribune Columnist argues that lack of recall law protects Mayor Emmanuel

Here -- this is after the release of the video of the Laquan McDonald shooting. It notes that Buffalo Grove has passed a law in 2010 to recall one specific councilwoman, and the state has one as well for the Governor.

Louisiana: Washington Police Chief targeted in recall

Washington Police Chief Ronelle Broussard is facing petitions, as 323 people (40%) signed the petition. It is now at the Parish register of voters record. Broussard is in his second term, and the criticism seems to be based on his actual work performance.

Massachusetts: Enough signatures handed in for recall of Rowley Water Commissioner

Tim Toomey is facing an upcoming recall.

Arizona: Two Members of Apache County's Concho Fire Board Kicked out

Here -- looks like Tracy Candelaria and Pat Murphy lost, though hard to find any more detail than that.

Arizona: One Central Arizona College Governing Board Member resigns before recall vote

Rita Nader, facing a recall over tax rate increases, resigned rather than face vote.

New Jersey: Lopatcong Township mayor threatened with recall

Lopatcong Township Mayor Tom McKay (R) is facing recall threats over a contentious relationship with the Township Clerk/Administrator and claims that he sexually harassed a township employee. McKay has only been in office since January.

Wisconsin: Arcadia voters oust incumbent Counil members

Mayor John Kimmel has been kicked, defeated by Rob Reichwin (who won with almost 70% of the voters).

Idaho: Signatures handed in for Driggs Recall

Driggs Mayor Hyrum Johnson is under the gun, with petitioners needing 154 votes in the election.

North Dakota: Barnes County North School District Chairwoman facing petitions

Barnes County North School District Board Chairwoman Lori Carlson is facing petitions following the resignation of Superintendent, Principal, and Activities.

Michigan: Greenleaf Township signatures handed in

Petitions were handed in against Greenleaf Township Clerk Lori Mazure over allegations of her using zoning documents to benefit her husband's successful recall run. Petitioners handed in 114 signatures, they need 50.

Kansas: Sedgwick County Commissioner recall rejected by DA

The recall effort against Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Richard Ranzau has been throw out by the district attorney, who claims that the petitioners have not stated a valid claim. Ranzau voted to reduce health care funding..Petitioners would have needed over 9500 signatures. Petitioners may appeal.

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article46089350.html#storylink=cpy

North Dakota: Barnes County North School Board members facing recall threats

Barnes County North School Board Members Lori Carlson and Dan Size are facing recall threats over claims of micromanagement, arrogance, not listening to parents and not attending graduation and other functions. The recent resignation of a superintendent seems to be the impetus.