Here's an article calling for a recall law in Australia. The article notes that in 2009, New South Wales proposed such a law (here's an op-ed I wrote at the time for the Sydney Morning Herald). On the federal level, there was a brief debate in 1988. The Liberal Democrats have it as part of their platform.
Sunday, April 30, 2023
Michigan: Milan Township and Clerk face May 2nd recall election
Milan Township Trustee Robert Dopkowski and Clerk Barbara Collins will face a May 2nd recall vote over the votes opposing rescinding a solar ordinance, which was amended to allow large developments in industrial and agricultural-zoned districts.
Dopkowski (NP) is facing Thomas McGettigan (NP) and Nicholas Straub (R).
Collins (R) is facing Stephanie Kozar (NP).
California: Petitions taken out against three Yucaipa officials
Petitions have been taken out against Yucaipa Mayor Justin Beaver, Mayor Pro Tem Bobby Duncan and Councilmember Matt Garner over the decision to oust the City Manager and City Attorney. The decision came two months after their contracts were renewed. There are claims of working with developers on the ouster.
This is apparently the first recall attempt in Yucaipa history.
Michigan: Belvidere Township Supervisor resigned in face of recall vote
This was in January, but Belvidere Township Supervisor John Anderson (R) resigned after a recall got to the ballot over votes to approve wind and solar energy ordinances. They handed in 358 valid signatures and needed 227.
Interesting discussion in the article over a proposal to pay Anderson through the date of the recall (it was $4216), as he would still be saving the township money from holding the vote. Supervisors approved the plan, but then claim that it may be illegal. Not sure whether he got the money or not.
Michigan: Three Cato Township officials facing May 2nd vote
May 2nd will see the Recall Elections against Cato Township Supervisor Larry Gilbert, Clerk Todd Lincoln and Trustee Jourdan Lindsay. The recalls are all over votes to approve wind and solar energy ordinances, as have been many in Michigan over the last year.
All of the officials are Republicans. Petitioners needed 283 valid signatures for the three Cato officials. They got Gilbert (411), Lincoln 383) and Lindsey (365).
Colorado: 11th Judicial District Attorney facing recall threats
There is discussion of a recall effort against 11th Judicial District Attorney Linda Stanley over an investigation into criminal charges being reduced over discovery violations sanctions. There seem to have been more than 25 cases of discovery violations.
Petitioners would need 13,260 signatures (25% of turnout) to get on the ballot.
Texas: Petitions taken out against Jasper County Commission Chair
Petitions have been taken out against Jasper County Commission Chairman Don Jernigan. Petitioners need 768 signatures (30% of registereds) in 30 days to get on the ballot. There is a malfeasance standard, so a judge will rule on whether the petitions show the grounds for the recall.
The issue seems to be a zoning approval, with claims that open meeting laws were violated by working with three commissioners on text.
Thursday, April 27, 2023
Florida: Crescent City Commissioner appeals judge's ruling allowing recall to move forward
Crescent City Commissioner Cynthia Burton is suing to overturn a judge's decision to allow the recall effort against her to move forward. Petitioners need 151 valids for the recall to get on the ballot. The issue is complaints about a sunshine law violation, though it was over a vote to abolish the police department (which took place two years ago). A former mayoral candidate, Craig Oates, is leading the effort.
There was previously failed recall against another Commissioner, Judith West, over the same vote.
MIT Undergraduate President facing recall
MIT Undergraduate Association President David Spicer is facing a recall vote over a campus postering campaign using controversial comments in favor of free speech. Note that the note was sent via Instagram.
Arizona: Threat against petitioners in recall of Cochise County Supervisor
Threats are being made against petitioners seeking the recall against Cochise County Supervisor Tom Crosby (R). The recall is over his refusal to certify the November votes of the county due to baseless claims of election deniers. The two folded after a judge stepped in. Petitioners would need to get 4865 signatures to get the recall on the ballot.
There was also discussion of a recall against Peggy Judd (R), though her vote to certify may have warded this off.
Michigan: Petitions taken out against Benton Harbor School Board member
Petitions have been rejected against Benton Harbor School Board Trustee Trenton Bowens due to the language being too vague. A new petition has been filed. The issue was a vote against replacing a boiler at the high school. Bowens had faced a recall attempt when he was a commissioner (though the petition never made the ballot).
Michigan: Sebewaing Village President and Trustee facing petitions
Sebewaing Village President Julie Epperson and Trustee Brandy Gunsell are facing petitions over a wrangling with the police chief. Officials have allegedly complained about his performance and the chief's use of Facebook to inform the public.
Gunsell seems to have submit a resignation, though it's status as "pending" seems to be at issue.
Maine: Three bills look to change recall law for school board members
Three bills are looking to change Maine's recall laws against school board members. Two of the bills would loosen the law by removing the malfeasance standard, and one of them would allow recalls against any municipal officials.
The third bill would both increase the number of signatures needed (from 10% to 25% of gubernatorial turnout) and place an absentee veto (votes must equal 30% of the gubernatorial turnout number).
California: 2021 California Gubernatorial Recall Candidate Larry Elder running for president
Larry Elder, who came in first in the replacement race in the failed recall of California Governor Gavin Newsom, announced that he is running for the Republican nomination for president.
California: Petitions taken out against Placerville Supervisor
Petitions have been served to Placerville Supervisor Lori Parlin, though the reason seems to be a general complaints (though some of it is focused on a homeless shelter).
Parlin ran unopposed for reelection in 2022.
Worth noting -- lead petitioner Lon Uso said "Lori, this is not personal" when serving her and is then quoted by the Mountain Democrat as saying "I do not believe she has the moral compass or ethics to sit on that dias."
Petitioners need 5535 signatures.
Colorado: Elizabeth School Board recall effort fails
The recall effort against Elizabeth School Board Member Heather Booth has failed, with petitions not handing in any signatures. The recall was over claims of unprofessional conduct, including disclosing confidential school safety information.
Petitioners needed about 2500 signatures to get on the ballot.
Nebraska: Some criticism of petition tactics in Kearney School Board member recall effort
Here's some criticism of petitioning tactics used in the recall effort against Kearney School Board Member Dave Brandt over the transathelete issue.
The petition claims it is over missing part of a meeting, though the article notes that petitioners are focused on the fact that Brandt was one of two members to vote against a requirement to restrict 6-12 grade athletes to teams of their biological gender. The lead petitioner, James Clark is the Buffalo County Republican Party Vice Chairman.
Petitioners would need 2227 signatures (35% of the top vote-getter in the last election) in 30 days. A recall would cost between $20-30,000.
Oklahoma: Petitions taken out against three Bartlesville council members
Three Bartlesville City Councilmembers, Mayor Dale Copeland, Vice Mayor Jim Curd Jr. and Councilor Loren Roszel, are facing petitions over an agreement the city signed which would allow drag shows on private property or at an indoor venue. This agreement came after a protests over a drag show performed at a Pride event
Petitioners need 20% of registered voters to get on the ballot.
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Colorado: Fight over whether Dacono councilmembers facing recall can vote on resolution
A Dacono City Council meeting was shut down over a fight about paying for the upcoming recall vote and whether the two councilmembers hit with the recall can vote on the proposed resolution. The recall election has been set against Dacono Councilmembers Jim Turini and Jackie Thomas for June 27. The recall is over their votes to remove the city manager. Two other councilmembers are not facing a recall effort. Kathryn Wittman is facing reelection in November and Danny Long is still in the six-month grace period.
Nebraska: Petitions taken out against Omaha City Councilmember
Petitions have been taken out against Omaha City Council member Vinny Palermo after his arrest on felony fraud charges and allegations of steering contracts for bribes. The petition includes a kitchen sink of other complaints in it, but this seems to be the focus.
Petitioners need 2462 signatures.
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