Michigan: Dueling petitions engulfs Thetford Council

Dueling petitions in Thetford, where the Board Clerk Nicole Moore and Trustees Julie Tack, Ralph Henry are facing petitions filed by Supervisor Rachel Stanke (R). Stanke has filed three failed attempts against Henry alone over votes against a proposed annual budget, which resulted in a six day government shutdown.

Following the last attempt, Henry filed petitions against Stanke, Treasurer Kristine Taylor and Trustees John Congdon and Eric Gunnels. The claim against Stanke is over actions surrounding solicitation of donations for a Christmas party. This is mostly an intraparty affair, as only Congdon and Gunnels are Democrats.

The Election Board has to decide on the language, though worth noting that one member, Count Clerk-Register John J. Gleason is facing charges of bribing or intimidating a witness.

Michigan: Signatures handed in against four Exeter Township officials

Signatures have been handed in against Exeter Township Manager Phillip Bruck, Clerk Christina Bogoski, Treasurer Tammy Kernyo and Trustee Anne Kleinow after the four voted to ban Supervisor Bob Queen from township property for "erratic and inappropriate behavior." While not the lead petitioner, Queen allegedly gathered some of the signatures himself.

The article lists several different actions, including a fight over a preservation of a historic barn and another was Queen removing an unused fuel tank and dumping it down a drain, causing problems for a neighbor (he claims he thought it was groundwater). Queen allegedly interfered with responders and argued with the owner. 

Mexico: Petitions taken out against Calexico Mayor

Calexico Mayor Javier Moreno is facing a recall effort over complaints that he used his position unlawfully, seemingly over a car registered out of state. Moreno serves a one-year term and his reelection by the council seemed to upset petitioners. It seems like they would need in the neighborhood of 4,000 signatures. 

UK: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson could face recall effort if Parliamentary inquiry goes against him

Soon-to-be-former Prime Minister Boris Johnson (Conservative) could face a recall vote if he is suspended from the House of Commons as part of a Parliamentary inquiry over whether he violated the lockdown protocols and lied about it during the coronavirus pandemic. If he is suspended for 10 sitting days or 14 calendar days, a petition can be filed. 

Oregon: Signatures handed in against Eugene City Councilor

Signatures have been handed in against Eugene City Councilor Claire Syrett. The recall effort is over her support for a traffic and public transit plan. 

Petitioners handed in over 2000 signatures. They need 1365. 

New Jersey: Cedar Grove School Board makes the ballot for November

Signatures have been verified in the recall effort against Cedar Grove School Board member Chrissy Dye over complaints about a survey over gender identity. Petitioners handed in 3032 signatures and needed about 2802 (the article doesn't specify how many were valid). 

The election will be held on Election Day, November 2022.

California: Recall threats against Mendocino County Sheriff

Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall is facing threats of a recall in the future, after a write-in candidate (and Sheriff's Deputy) Trent James got 14% of the vote in the June primary. A separate resident stated that he would initiate a recall effort after the grace period of the next term, which starts on January 2. Petitioners needed more 8000 signatures to get on the ballot.

California: Redondo Beach Councilmember recall set for October 19

The recall election of Redondo Beach City Councilmember Zein Obagi Jr, has been scheduled for October 19, which will also be the same day as a cannabis initiative.

The recall is apparently over his support for affordable housing and a homeless pallet shelter in his district, as well as claims of misconduct by the state bar. Obagi blames Cannabis dealers pushing to open dispensaries in the city for backing the recall (Catalyst Cannabis Co. has been the top funder).. Petitioners got 2452 valids and needed about 2250.

The special is supposed to cost $270,000 (or $240,000 if explanatory text is online only). If it is on the general election day, it will be $37,000.

Update: Tonya McKenzie is the only candidate in the replacement race.

Washington: Four Prosser School Board members facing petition threats

 Prosser School Board President Andy Howe, VP Jason Rainier and members Peggy Douglas and Jeanie Aubrey are facing petitions. Petitioners want the board to fire the school superintendent and instead giving a raise. The fifth board member, Elisa Riley, is not facing petitions. Petitions first have to be approved by a judge, as Washington is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state. 

Ohio: Johnstown Mayor and Council President recall effort blocked due to grace period

The recall effort against Johnstown Mayor Chip Dutcher and City Council President Marvin Block has been rejected by the City Clerk over claims that petitioners could not start gathering signatures, because the six month grace period at the start of a term had not started. The petitioners claim that the law didn't specify that it needs a new term (they are both on their second term). This does not sound like a winning argument and the clerk felt the same way. 

The recall is over claims that they pressured the former police chief to fire the court clerk/police dispatcher. The chief has filed a complaint against Block. The police chief has been fired (there is also claims that he claimed the police chief and finance director where in an "inappropriate relationship.") The campaign is called the "Chip off the old Block". 

Petitioners handed in 305 for Dutcher and 332 for Block and need 95 valids. 

Missouri: Three Robertson Fire District Board members face recall vote on November 8

Robertson Fire Protection District Board members Joan Noel, Becky Reinsmith, Mike Conley  are facing a recall vote on November 8, after 630 signatures were verified for each. The board is blamed for putting Hazelwood near bankruptcy due to a "costly contract." Supporters of the board members claim that Hazelwood is trying to get out of the contract with the recalls. The issues listed include failure to lower costs, retaliation, failing to turn over public records and selling property for below market value.

Colorado: Signatures validated in Buffalo School Board recall

Signatures have been validated in the Buffalo School Board member Sonya Hutchison, with petitioners handing in 122 signatures, and 104 validated. They needed 79. The issue was a search for a new superintendent and claims that Hutchison went "rogue" which caused one candidate to withdraw.

The last recall election in Logan County was in 1980, when county assessor Woodrow Brown was removed and replaced by Nancy Wood. This was a two day-two step recall.

Update: The recall vote has been scheduled for November 8.

Georgia: Cordele Commission Chair facing petitions

Cordele Commission Chairman Joshua A. Deriso is facing a recall effort over complaints about removing a picture from the police department, insulting another commissioner and kicking one of the lead petitioners out of the movement.

Petitioners have gathered 126 signatures, they need 100 valids to move to the next stage. Georgia is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state, so a judge will have to sign off. Petitioners are shooting for 2000 signatures, though it's unclear how many they need from the stories. 

California: LA District Attorney recall verification going to a full count

In an unsurprisingly development, the LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk has found that the random sampling method did not get a clear decision on the Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon recall effort and will be going to a full count. Petitioners handed in 715,833 signatures. The sample was 5% (35,793) and 27,983 were found valid. If this verification rate kept up, the signatures would just fail (by about 7000 signatures, though that may not keep up.

Here's my look at the signature rates and how this sample method works. Here's a good article on the verification process itself.

Wisconsin: Two Morgan Town Board Members kicked out in Recall Vote over Solar Power Facility

Morgan Town Board Chair Fran Wranosky and Supervisor Leonard Wahl were tossed out in a July 12 recall vote over their support for a proposed solar power facility. Rob Berg defeated Wranosky, 57-36% and Jeff Folts beat Wahl 59-36%. Wahl's son-in-law, Matthew Gaulke, ran as a candidate for both seats (if nobody got a majority, there would have been a run-off, which may explain Gaulke's candidacy). 

Both Wranosky and Folts have been on the board for over a decade. Turnout was about 41%.

California: Redondo Beach Councilmember recall makes the ballot

Signatures have been verified in the recall of Redondo Beach City Councilmember Zein Obagi Jr., apparently over his support for affordable housing and a homeless pallet shelter in his district, as well as claims of misconduct by the state bar. Obagi blames Cannabis dealers pushing to open dispensaries in the city for backing the recall (Catalyst Cannabis Co. has been the top funder).. Petitioners got 2452 valids and needed about 2250.

It is not clear when the recall would be voted on, as they are looking to get on the November 8 ballot, but also talking about a March 7 vote. It is unclear why either would happen, as it needs to be in 125 days. 

New Mexico: Cobre School Board members resign after recall petition filed

Cobre School Board President Ralph "Toy" Sepulveda and Vice President Frank Cordova have resigned before a hearing on a recall petition filed against them by board member Gilbert Guadiana. Cordova has been on the board for 38 years.

Petitioners cited claims of nepotism (Cordova's son-in-law was appointed as a replacement board member) and there was complaints about reimbursement for the legal representation in the recall battle.

Colorado: 12th Judicial District Attorney (Alamosa/San Luis County) resigns after recall makes the ballot

Alamosa/12th Judicial District Attorney Alonzo Payne has resigned after the recall against him got to the ballot. Petitioners handed in 5974 signatures, with 4757 being declared valid. They needed 3996. The resignation was after a monitor was appointed by the state Attorney General.

The recall effort was over complaints of being soft on crime (not pursuing charges on large drug busts and not following up with crime victims on plea deals, as required by law), so a bit along the lines of the Boudin/Gascon recall efforts in California. The petitions were taken out by Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman. 

California: Report on spending in SF DA recall

Here -- $7M for the pro-recall forces, $3M for those opposing the recall of Chesa Boudin.

New Jersey: Signatures handed in against Cedar Grove School Board

Signatures have been handed in against Cedar Grove School Board member Chrissy Dye over complaints about a survey over gender identity. Petitioners handed in 3032 signatures and need about 2802.