UK: Scottish MP set to receive 30 day sentence, triggering recall petition

It appears that MP Margaret Ferrier (a former SNP member) will receive a 30 day suspension from parliament, which would start a recall petition under UK rules (a suspension of 10 days or more kicks the recall into gear). Ferrier plead guilty to violating COVID safety protocols in 2020, after refusing to self isolate, going to church and a bar and then taking a train from Glasgow to London despite having the coronavirus (though she had not yet tested positive). 

SNP seems to want a recall to get by-election on the ballot. Any petitioners would need 8100 signatures to get on the ballot. 

And here's a columnist opposing recalls in general, unless the official is sentenced to jail.

Wisconsin: Outagamie County Supervisor facing recall threats

Outagamie County Supervisor Timothy Hermes is facing recall threats over allegedly transphobic comments. No word if there are any significant efforts to push it forward.

Michigan: Petitions taken out against two Caro Area District Library members

Petitions have been taken out against Caro Area District Library members Stacy Crutchfield and Jordyn Nordstrom over claims of violation of privacy. 

The lead petitioner claims that she complained about inappropriate books for children which should be removed from the children's section (and focused on that this shouldn't be considered support for a book ban). The petitioner claims that her information was not kept confidential, in violation of the library policy.

Petitioners would need 1193 signatures to get on the ballot.

Colorado: Signatures verified against Broomfield City Councilmember

Petitioners seem to have gotten the recall of Broomfield City Councilmember Todd Cohen on the ballot, as they handed in 1356 signatures, 1246 were verified. 1083 were needed.

The recall is over his support for two gun control ordinances that passed, one of which required serialized numbers to prevent ghost guns and banning open carry. Petitioners are also complaining about a water tank bill and homelessness. Another councilmember, Heidi Henkel, was also targeted, but since she is up for reelection, it seems like there is no real effort against her.

The anti-recall group is citing a potential cost of $76,000 for the recall.

Illinois: Galesburg Alderperson facing recall threats, though there is no city recall law

Galesburg Alderperson Heather Acerra is being threatened with a recall, though there is no recall law in Galesburg. 

 

Hawaii: Honolulu City Council members facing recall threats

There is now chatter about a recall against Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters and members Calvin Say, Esther Kiaaina, Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, Matt Weyer, Val Okimoto and Radiant Cordero over a pay raise. 

Petitioners need at least the signatures of 10% of registered voters at the last election. They would need between 5,000 to 8,000 to get on the ballot.

Interestingly, there is also an impeachment law that voters can start by collecting 5000 signatures for mayor or 1000 for the council. In that case, the courts decide whether there is a violation (like Virginia's recall trial law).

Michigan: Petitions filed against Flint Councilmember

Petitions have been taken out against Flint Councilmember Judy Priestley. Behind a paywall, so hopefully we'll have more info soon.

Michigan: Petitions taken out against three Davison School Board

Petitions have been taken out against three Davison School Board Members, President Karen Conover, VP Granger Stefanko and Treasurer Holly Halabicky. A recall against a fourth member could not be filed due to the fact that he was in the first year grace period.

Massachusetts: Charlemont voting on recall provision at town meeting

Voters in Charlemont will be deciding on a recall provision at the annual town meeting on May 23. The provision mimics a recall provision in Colrain.  The recall would require signatures of 10% of registered voters to get a recall on the ballot (the town currently has 945 registereds). The election would be a two-step process, with an up or down vote on the recall, with a replacement vote on the same ballot. The removed official cannot run to replace themselves. 

There is also a six months grace period at the start of the term and the official cannot be appointed to a town position for a year after removal.

Washington: Signatures verified against three Richland School Board members

The recall effort against three Richland School Board members Semi Bird, Audra Byrd and Kari Williams has made the ballot. Petitioners handed in over 18000 signatures. They need 5352 for Byrd, 5293 for Bird and 4705 for Williams. No word yet on signature failure rate.

The recall is over their vote to make mask mandates optional, which allegedly violates a state law that mandated masks to fight the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Washington State Supreme Court has approved the recall effort, which because Washington is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state, needed a showing of a violation of state law.

California: Petitions taken out against Gateway School Board members

Gateway School Board Members Lindsi Haynes and Elias Haynes are facing petitions. Petitioners need 2052 signatures in 90 days. The issue seems to be firing the superintendent and failing to replace a trustee.

Florida: Apopka Mayor recall effort fails with petitioners not getting signatures on first stage

The recall effort against Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson has failed. Petitioners turned in 1695 signatures and needed 1762. They handed in 1692. This would have been just for the first stage of the recall effort (then more signatures need to be handed in.

The recall is over the death of a firefighter (which petitioners claim is due to lack of training/supervision), though there is also a firing of the city attorney. There were two no-confidence votes against the Fire Chief from the firefighters' union and the city council.

Oregon: State Rep hit with recall effort from unions

State Representative Paul Holvey (D) is facing a recall effort over his failure to support a bill blocking cannabis employers from interfering with employee efforts to unionize. One of the state's largest labor unions is leading the recall effort. Holvey was a former union representative. Petitioners need 4598 signatures by August 21.

Here's some further discussion on this.

Missouri: Proposed changes to Kansas City Charter include increasing recall signature requirement

A Kansas City Charter Commission has recommended two changes to the recall law -- increasing the signature requirement from 20% to 25% of turnout; establishing a minmum signature requirement (3000 for in-district and 18,000 for at-large) 

North Dakota: My op-ed on the use of the recall in North Dakota

Here's my look at some of the history and recent use of the recall in North Dakota. The state is in the midst of a mini-boom, with the recall of Horace Councilwoman, three Williston Basin School Board members and the resignation of a Bismarck school board member. Since 2011, 21 elected officials have been kicked out, 3 resigned and 12 survived the vote. The Peace Garden State ranks in the top 15 in use over the life of this blog.

Michigan: White River Township referendum looks to overturn solar ordinance in same effort as recall push against Supervisor

Petitioners are now seeking to put a referendum on the ballot to overturn a solar ordinance in White River Township. The vote could take place on the same time as a recall against Supervisor Mike Cockerill, who is currently facing petitions over his support for a solar project. Cockerill has land that will be leased to the renewable project. The petition has already been approved, though Cockerill is suing to stop the recall (though the appeal has been denied).

Kansas: Petitions taken out against Leavenworth School Board member

Petitions have been taken out against Leavenworth School Board Member Vanessa Reid after Reid took a picture of the lead petitioner's child's artwork that featured a rainbow flag. Reid than shared the picture in a newsletter from Representative Pat Proctor (R). Proctor claimed that the flag showed that the school library was "doing more indoctrinating than education."

California: Petitions taken out against Sonoma Valley School Trustee

Sonoma Valley School Board Trustee John Kelly is facing petitions over complaints about a school construction/configuration plans. Petitioners need 1049 signatures in 60 days. 

Colorado: Two Walsenburg Councilmembers survive recall votes; three officials resign

Two Walsenburg Councilmembers, Veronica Maes (103-105) and Nick Vigil (105-114) survived recall votes. 

Previously,  Mayor Charles Bryant and Councilmember Greg Daniels and Carmen Lara resigned rather than face recalls that made the ballot.

An earlier effort against Bryant and two other council members, Ricky Jennings and Don Martinez, failed to make the ballot. Bryant is protesting the recall. 

The issue seems to be an internal battle in the government and the mayor has encouraged the recall effort against what he calls a "culture of corruption" saying they need a "hard reset." Apparently, the mayor and  Jennings (who is mayor pro tem) are on one side of the aisle. 

New Mexico: Edgewood looks to recall law on banning access to abortion

Edgewood voters are looking to recall a town legislation on abortion. The law, passed by the town's commission, bans access to abortion pills and materials. Petitioners need 20% of tutnout (an avereage of the different offices in the last election. Petitioners need 240 signatures by May 26.