The Recall Elections Blog

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Michigan: Signatures handed in against Bedford Charter Township Supervisor

Over 1000 signatures were handed in against Township Supervisor Adam Heikkila (R). Petitioners need 734 valids. Lead petitioner Kraig Dingman intends to run as an independent. The issues are allegedly failing to maintain business hours, pushing to have an ordinance violation dismissed against him, and claims of creating a hostile environment.

Michigan: Isabella County officials recall rejected for clarity reasons

Petitions to recall Township Trustee Robert Walton and Supervisor Jeffrey Bean were rejected by the election commission over clarity issues. This is the third failed attempt against Walton. The language was the same as a petition that was approved against Denver Township Supervisor John Pedjac.

The issue appears to be over a lease on a wind farm, with petitioners opposed to the wind farm.

Update: The Pedjac recall language was since overturned by a judge.

Friday, July 27, 2018

Oregon: Aumsville City Council can't hold meeting due to lack of quorom

Following the removal of three councilmembers, Trinia Lee, Lorie Walters and Kevin Crawford, on July 3rd over a $12 per month increase in household utility bills, the council has been unable to meet due to a lack of a quorum. The council is suppose to appoint replacements for the seats, but due to the removal of the three and another councilor being absent there was no quorum for a replacement vote.

Louisiana: East Baton Rogue Councilwoman facing recall effort

Councilwoman Tara Wicker (D) is facing a recall effort over claims of lack of communications, though it appears that the replacement of a deceased councilman by his wife is part of the fight. Petitioners needs 33 1/3 percent of registered voters to get on the ballot, about 6100 signatures.

Update: No Signatures were turned in

Michigan: Bruce Township officials facing recall effort

Supervisor Richard Cory, Clerk Susan Brockmann and Trustees Paul Okeniewski and Mark Falker are facing a recall effort following the cancellation of a special meeting that would have changed the Bruce Township. Brockmann was suppose to resign and then be appointed township manager.

Petitioners need 888 signatures to get on the ballot.

“They have every right to a recall effort,” Brockmann said. “I am going to continue to do my job.”

She added: “We thought we had a valid transition move to leave a solid foundation for those coming into office in 2020, but now we have something that has become politically motivated by people going around spreading lies rather than hearing us out as a board.”

The earliest a recall vote could be on a ballot in Bruce Township is May 2019.

Recall language must first be approved by the Macomb County Election Commission and signatures can be submitted no later than 95 days prior to the proposed election date.

Signatures submitted to Macomb County can be no older than 60 days old.

Martone seems confident in the resolve the residents now have to make a change in their government.

“The citizens are banned together now,” she said. “Every person who showed up last night had a story about why they wanted the Clerk out of office. Everybody is fed up.”

Colorado: Push to stop Dolores School Board members recall rejected -- date for recall to be set

A protest hearing against the recall of School Board President Dee Prock and board member Vangi McCoy over questions about the language of the petition failed to stop the recall from going forward. The two will be facing a recall over claims that the school has dropped in rankings.

Thursday, July 26, 2018

UK: MP may be first person to face recall vote over free trips to Sri Lanka

MP Ian Paisley has been suspended for 30 days and is facing a potential recall vote after he received unreported all-expense paid vacations to Sri Lanka. Petitioners would need to hand in signatures equaling 10% of the registered voters. Paisley would lose his seat, but can run in the by-election.

Navajo Nation: Three School Board Members up for recall

President Hector Guerro, Vice President Bucky Apache and Steven Apache are all facing recall votes over complaints of travel expenses, though there seems to be a lot of questions over whether they can run in a race.

Ohio: Kent City Council vote for charter changes to increase signature amount for recalls

The City Council voted 8-1 to increase the signature amount for recalls to 25% of turnout in the last presidential election and require a stated cause of action. Kent was the site of a 2009 recall against five councilmembers (all survived). Apparently, there are some debates on an Ohio Supreme Court decision which prevents signature requirements from being tied to registered voters.

Maryland: Takoma Park Councilmembers facing recall effort over redevelopment project

Takoma city council members are facing a recall effort over their vote for a redevelopment project. Petitioners would need 20% of eligible voters, which would equal about 1500 signatures for the mayor.

Ohio: Cleveland Councilman facing recall efforts; move by council to make recalls more difficult

Councilman Basheer Jones is facing a recall effort after less than seven months in office. Petitioners need 676 signatures to get on the ballot. Jones won office by defeating Councilman TJ Dow by 13 votes.

City Council President Kevin Kelley is looking to tighten recall laws, potentially increasing thea grace period from 3 months to a six and preventing a recall in the last year in office.

Georgia: Aragon Mayor facing recall effort

Mayor Garry Baldwin is facing a recall effort after pushing for numerous employees to resign under threat of putting a bad review in their file.

Here's a look at how recalls work in Georgia -- the state is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state, so a showing of cause is needed.

Texas: Bedford Mayor, City Councilmembers facing recall effort over apartment complex

A push to build a 240-unit complex has led to recall efforts against Mayor Jim Griffin and Councilmembers Roger Fisher, Roy Turner and Rusty Sarter.

Wisconsin: Signatures handed in against Trempealeau County District Attorney

Petitioners have handed in 3385 signatures against District Attorney Taavi McMahon after he suspended an employee for refusing to attend the Jackson County DA's funeral as well as claims of prosecutorial failures. The county board has sought his resignation. McMahon has been on leave since May 9. McMahon's supporters claim the issue is a debate over new views of criminal justice reform.

One of the lead petitioners is the Osseo Police Department Chief. Petitioners need more than 2682 signatures to get on the ballot.

Colorado: Englewood Councilmember recall will be on ballot on September 18

Councilmember Laurett Barrentine will be facing a recall vote on September 18 over claims of bullying and firing threats. Petitioners, which included two former mayors, handed in 424 signatures. They needed about 364.

Update: The recall is set to cost $15,000.

Michigan: Recall effort against Lyon Township Supervisor rejected by Election Commission

Language in a recall against Supervisor Ed Nellist was rejected by the Election Commission.

California: Kern Law Enforcement Association President kicked out

Law Enforcement Association President David Kessler, the head of the 500 deputy sheriffs and District Attorney Investigators, was kicked out in a recall vote. The VP is serving as president. The push was after the Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood was reelected in a landslide. the KLEA originally endorsed his challenger, but then withdrew the endorsement.