The Year in Recalls: The big flop -- 609 attempts, 66 to the ballot; first year that more elections resulted in officials surviving the vote than being removed

In many ways, 2021 was the year of recall elections throughout the country, though not for the reasons that many may think. The California Gubernatorial recall was one of the big political stories of the year, but the many recalls against school board members were also in the news. But we saw some surprising developments as I discuss in this op-ed in The Hill. 

This year saw the most recalls attempted since this blog started in 2011 -- at least 609 attempts. But unlike most years, when the recall gets to the ballot about one-quarter to one-third of the time, this year, most of the recalls went nowhere. Only 66 went to the ballot and 17 others resigned. 

Even more unusual, for the first time more officials survived the vote than lost. Most recalls result in removal -- about 60% of the time (plus 6% resignations). This year, 40 officials survived the vote and only 26 were removed. 

What explains this odd result? COVID and the laws designed to stop its spread. Most of the school board recalls were over COVID precautions. But few of them got to the ballot. And those that did failed. Only one of the apparently COVID-focused recalls (in Dodge County, Wisconsin) resulted in removal. 

This actually fits well with the goals of the recall. The pandemic resulted in arguably the most extensive changes for every citizen's lives in US history. It's no surprise that there would be a political impact. But the results, as can be seen by both the failure to get signatures and failure to actually win elections, maybe viewed as effectively an endorsement of the restrictions. 

As a comparison, 2020 saw 42 removals, 24 survived and 14 resignations, with 434 attempts. In 2019, 87 officials faced a recall vote (37 removals, 16 resignations, 34 survived). In 2018 (which I never published) saw 150 recalls make the ballot or lead to a resignation, with 85 removals, 28 resignations and 37 survivals. In 2017, we had 102 recalls, 2016, we have 119 recalls. In 2015, there were 109; 2014 (which, I never actually wrote up), 126 recalls. In 2013, we had 107 recalls. 2012 we had 166, and a 2011 we had 151 (the numbers do not always exactly match up to the links – I checked back and found additional recalls and removed a few). 19 States saw recall votes or resignations this year. I generally do not count the Native American tribal chair and trustee recalls in my compilation (unfortunately, they are very difficult to track).  I also do not count home owners associations, unions or college governments. There were also noteworthy recalls globally, especially in Taiwan and Japan, but they are also not included. 

The COVID recalls are tapering off, but we have plenty more awaiting us. Not only will the San Francisco District Attorney and San Francisco School Board have recalls, there are others as well. January 11 will see recalls in both Leyton and Waverly, Nebraska. 

Michigan: Recall effort against one Mount Pleasant Board member fails

The recall effort against Mount Pleasant Board member Wiline Pangle has failed, with petitioners saying that they won't be turning in the 3200 signatures needed to get on the ballot.

There is still a recall effort ongoing against President Amy Bond and Board member Courtney Stegman after voting for a mask mandate to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Petitioners need more than 3,000 signatures. Isabella County, where the school is located, has the lowest vaccination rate in Mid-Michigan.

Update: The recall against Bond and Stegman has also failed.

Oregon: Petitions taken out against Estacada City Councilor

Estacada City Councilor Katy Dunsmuir is facing a recall effort, seemingly over her support for a proposal to purchase a motel and convert it to housing. Petitioners need 214 signatures by February 28.

Ohio: Celina Council recall rejected by board due to lack of recall law

The Mercer County Board of Elections rejected petitions for the recall of Celina Councilmembers June Scott, Mike Sovinski, Myron Buxton and Eric Lochtefeld over their opposition to a bill declaring "Celina a 'Sanctuary City for the Unborn." Celina does not have a recall law in its charter, leading to tossing out the recall attempt.

Michigan: Fake signature causes issue in Davison School Board Member recall

One of the opponents of the Davison School Board Member Matthew Smith Jr. recall has been accused of signing a fake name to a petition, which was discovered after his wife bragged about it on Facebook. The fake signature is a violation of Michigan law.

Smith is charged with malicious use of telecommunication services (he is accused of harassing the Houghton County Clerk by calling her and threatening to kill her dogs). 

Smith is also the chairman of the Genesee County Republican Party.

Michigan: Lee Township Trustee and Supervisor facing petitions; Positive COVID test halts petition language meeting

Lee Township Supervisor Kristy Gustafson and Trustee Darla Rippee are facing recall petitions over the closure of the town dump. Rippee attended the meeting on the petition language and was found to have an active case of COVID, ending the meeting 

Mexico: President pushing for recall vote in Spring

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is once again pushing for a recall vote against him in April, with the board requiring 2.85 million signatures. The board has delayed the recall, which he is unhappy about. AMLO has long suggested that regular recalls are a good idea and previously suggested that a recall should be held on March 21, 2021(half-way through his term).

Wisconsin: Recall threats target Milwaukee County District Attorney

Petitioners are talking about targeting Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm over the low bail do Darrell Brooks, who killed six people, running them over in a Waukesha Christmas Parade. It's not clear if petitions have been taken out.

Michigan: Department of State punts on campaign finance issue with recall law

Here -- the board has not ruled on whether Governor Gretchen Whitmer (or future recall targets) can raise unlimited funds in a recall, but they may revisit it in the future. 

Nebraska: Papillion La Vista School Board member recall effort fails

The recall drive against Papillion La Vista Community School Board member Valerie Fisher failed, with petitioners not handing in any signatures. Petitions were taken out against Fisher, seemingly over her support for actions to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. She has been on the board for 22 years and won Nebraska's School Board member of the year award in 2019. Petitioners needed 7229 signatures in 30 days to get on the ballot. The other board members are up for reelection next year.

Arizona: Signatures not handed in for recall of Scottsdale School Board Members

The recall effort against four Scottsdale School Board members, Jann-Michael Greenburg, Julie Cieniawski, Libby Hart-Wells and Patty Beckman, failed, with signatures not handed in. The recall petitions were over their votes in favor of masking mandates to protect children from the coronavirus pandemic, as well as claims about critical race theory. Petitioners needed 20,935 by December 18 to get on the ballot.

Petitioners have also called for Greenburg to resign after he has been accused (by them) of having a google drive with information about some of the parents leading the recall effort. It sounds like Greenburg is no longer a chairman, but still a board member.

Nebraska: Alvo schedules recall vote for February 15

A recall vote has been scheduled against Alvo Board Members Larry Langer and Robin LaPage on February 15 Previously a lawsuit was filed against Alvo after the town board voted 5-0 against scheduling the election and a judge order the recall to be scheduled or the board to be held in contempt. The recall seems to be over a tire scrapeyard, which was previously owned by Langer.

Maryland: Claims of growing support for Baltimore Mayor recall

Don't see too many polls specifically called "unscientific" by their backers... Anyway, new talk of recalling Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott. 

California: Lawsuit seeks to stop SF Election Guide claim that the SF Democratic Party opposes School Board recalls

 A lawsuit is seeking to have the San Francisco Election Guide for the School Board recalls remove a claim that the SF Democratic Party opposes the recall. Check it out for the complicated details, which is based on a resolution in May opposing the recall efforts, though it seemed to be about the Governor Gavin Newsom recall more than anything else.

California: Petitions taken out against five Nevada County Supervisors

Petitions have been taken out against five Nevada County Board of Supervisors, Dan Miller, Hardy Bullock, Heidi Hall, Ed Scofield and Susan Hoek over votes to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. There is also a complaint about using drones to inspect property. Petitioners need between 2600-3200 signatures per supervisor.

California: A look at who's funding the SF DA recall effort

Mission Local provides a look at the funding for the San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin recall effort. 

Oregon: Newberg School Board member recall makes the ballot

The recall against Newberg School Board member Brian Shannon has gotten on the ballot. There is also an effort against School Board member Dave Brown. The recall was over a vote to fire the Superintendent and a vote to ban political flags (such as LGBTQ and Black Lives Matter). Petitioners needed over 2500 valids, they gave in over 4000, and got about 3300.

Michigan: Scio Supervisor resigns in face of recall petition

Scio Township Supervisor Jane Vogel is resigning in the face of an approved recall petition. Vogel said the resignation is about "professional and family priorities." There is still a recall effort against Township Supervisor Will Hathaway. Petitioners need 2439 signatures to get each of the officials on the ballot. The recall seems to be about a vote to double Hathaway's salary. There was also a recall effort against Trustees Alec Jerome, though no word on what happened to that one.

Wisconsin: Butternut School Board President survives recall vote

Butternut School District Board President Gary Mertig survived a recall vote, 161-139 over Nate Prtizl. The recall appeared to be about Mertig's vote to combat the coronavirus pandemic by approving a mask mandate. Mertig has been on the board for 31 years.

Washington: Seattle City Councilmember survives recall

Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant survived her recall vote, 20,346-20,656.

Sawant is the first socialist elected to Seattle's council in 100 years. There's been quite a number of twists and turns to this one. The recall is over Sawant's conduct during the Seattle riots and her failing to comply with public disclosure requirements after she led protestors to the Mayor's house.