Nebraska: Plattsmouth School Board member recall effort fails

The recall effort against Plattsmouth School Board Member Terri Cunningham-Swanson failed, as petitioners handed in 749 signatures and 625 were validated. Not clear how many were needed. 

The recall was over her support for a book ban policy. 

Michigan: Ammunition store selling bullets calling for recall of state House member

This is against State House Representative Jamie Churches (D). The store is running into campaign finance related questions over whether this is a violation of the requirement to reveal who is paying for campaign material.

Nebraska: Signatures handed in against four Sargent School Board Members

Signatures were handed in against Sargent School Board members Martin Riddle, Loyd Pointer, Laura Kipp and Tammera Moody over the board's vote to not renew the contact of a principal. 

Petitioners need 95 signatures (35% of the highest vote total of any candidate in the last election). No word yet on how many were submitted.

Nebraska: Petitions taken out against Box Butte County Public Defender

Petitions have been taken out against Box Butte County Public Defender Enet Somers-Dehaney over complaints about incompetence. 

Petitioners would need 961 signatures (35% of turnout) in 30 days.

Oregon: Cottage Grove City Councilors facing petitions

Petitions have been taken out against Cottage Grove City Councilors John Stinnett, Mike Fleck and Chalice Savage over the city's homeless policy. Petitioners need 654 signatures by October 23. 

Washington: Replacement chosen for Richland School Board

Lindsay Lightner has been appointed to fill one of the three school board seats that are empty following the Richland School Board recall. This ends the quorum problem.

Maine: Windham to vote on recall law -- (Updated: It Passed)

Windham voters will be deciding on a referendum to adopt a recall law. The law will have 10% of gubernatorial turnout and will have an interim replacement vote. It will also bar the official from holding office for two years.

The town council tried to pass an alternative recall law, with higher signature requirements 15%, a turnout minimum (25% -- an absentee veto provision), and an automatic replacement model rather than a vote, but failed to agree. 

Update: Another attempt to put the alternative Council led effort failed. 

Update 2: The Proposition passed, 3348-2524

Idaho: West Bonner School Board Members ousted

West Bonner School Board Chair Keith Rutledge and Trustee Susan Brown were both ousted in the August 29 recall election, with Rutledge losing 762-454 (63-37%) and Brown losing 624-322 (66-34%). Turnout greatly exceeded the results from their original election in 2021.

Idaho has a "Queen of the Hill" provision, which would required a recall to not only win the vote, but top the total number of votes in favor of the candidate in the last election. In that race, Rutledge and Brown received 485 and 359 votes.

The recall is over a 3-2 vote to approve the appointment of former State Senator Branden Durst as the new school superintendent, despite him not having the qualifications to serve (he needs to have worked in a school for four years -- the board declared an emergency to allow it). Durst, a former Democrat who switched parties and ran for the Republican nomination for State Superintendent (he lost). Durst is seen as part of a "far-right takeover" of the schools.

Oregon: State Representative recall makes the ballot for October 3

The recall election of State Representative Paul Holvey (D) has made the ballot and is scheduled for October 3, after petitioners handed in a second batch of signatures following the invalidation of huge number of signatures.

In July, 6600 signatures were handed, with petitioners needing 4598 to get on the ballot and petitioners have more than a month (August 21) to add to the total. Only 2610 were validated. Petitioners then handed in another 3939 signature, of which 2445 were validated (they needed 1988). In total 8629 signatures were handed in and 5055 were validated, a 58.5% validation rate (though it is possible there were duplicates between the first and second group).

The Holvey recall is not a partisan fight, rather it is being launch by one of the most powerful unions in the state, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555. Holvey is the Chair of the House Committee on Business and Labor.

The recall is over Holvey's failure to support a bill blocking cannabis employers from interfering with employee efforts to unionize. Holvey believed that it was preempted by federal law. Holvey was a former union representative and he notes that the state's largest union and others are backing Holvey in fighting the recall effort.

Idaho: West Bonner School Board Members recall seeing potential double turnout from original election

The recall election set for August 29 against West Bonner School Board Chair Keith Rutledge and Trustee Susan Brown is seeing huge turnout in the early going, with the county clerk expecting double the votes of their original victory in 2021.

Rutledge and Brown received 485 and 359 votes. Over 300 votes were cast with a week to go. The total number of voters in the area is 3411.

The recall is over a 3-2 vote to approve the appointment of former State Senator Branden Durst as the new school superintendent, despite him not having the qualifications to serve (he needs to have worked in a school for four years -- the board declared an emergency to allow it). Durst, a former Democrat who switched parties and ran for the Republican nomination for State Superintendent (he lost). Durst is seen as part of a "far-right takeover" of the schools.

Petitioners needed 243 signatures for Rutledge and 180 for Brown. No word yet on how many were handed in/rejected. 

Idaho has a "Queen of the Hill" provision, which would required a recall to not only win the vote, but top the total number of votes in favor of the candidate in the last election. Voters need 245 votes to kick out Rutledge and 177 to remove Brown. 

Nebraska: Dawes County Commissioner recall failed

The recall effort against Dawes County Commissioner Vic Rivera has failed, with petitioners handing in only 71 signatures. They needed 207. The recall was over complaints about mismanagement and interfering with past and present employee relationships.

Nebraska: Another Crofton Councilmember recall makes the ballot

Another recall has made the ballot in Crofton. Petitioners have handed in enough signatures for the recall of Councilmember Larry Peitz. Petitioners handed in 71 signatures, they got 64 valids and needed 63. 

The recall election of Crofton Councilmember James Murphy has been scheduled for September 12, but the clerk said that one can't be scheduled the same day for Peitz. A recall against Mayor Bob Evans failed. The recalls seem to be about a police chief and officer firing (or nonrenewal). The former police chief took out the petitions against Evans and Peitz.

Petitioners needed 63 signatures for Murphy and got 67 valid ones. Petitioners need 127 for the mayoral recall.

The recall is about the firing of the police chief and claims that he did not show up for meetings (Murphy argues that he missed two meetings in 2 1/2 years), as well as votes against hiring a special CPA firm or fixing roads and the claim that "he has no opinions on important matters."

Michigan: Petition language approved against additional House member; Attorney for targeted members argues that it is an organized effort

New developments in the recall efforts against eight Michigan House members. The attorney for the Democratic members told the State Board of Canvassers that this is an organized effort, not a grassroots one. Additionally, petitions have been approved against House member Sharon MacDonell.

Previously, revised petitions were submitted against four Democratic Michigan House members, Jennifer Conlin, Betsy Coffia, Reggie Miller and Noah Arbit.

Petition language was previously rejected in seven of eight filings against these four, as well as Sharon MacDonell (D) and Jamie Churches (D) and Republican Donni Steele (R). It would not be a surprise if petitions are refiled against these three as well.

A petition against Republican Representative Cam Cavitt was approved. Cavitt's recall language was over his vote in favor of electing Representative Joe Tate as speaker. 

The six Democrats are targeted over votes in favor of red flag laws to remove guns from people who are considered extreme risks (Coffia and MacDonell) and hate crimes legislation (Conlin, Miller and Churches). The petitions did not spell this out, which resulted in their rejection. Steele (R) is also facing a recall effort over her vote in favor of a bill requiring safe storage of guns when not in use.

While the petition language is over these bills and votes, most believe the recall is due to the fact that the Democrats have a narrow 56-54 majority in the House, leading petitioners to think they can gain control of the chamber with recalls. 

Recalls to flip a chamber are not unusual and have actually worked, though the longer term implications are frequently poor. Recalls in Washington in 1981, Michigan in 1983, California in 1995, Wisconsin in 1996, Wisconsin in 2011, 2012, Colorado in 2013 and attempts in Colorado and Nevada in 2019 all had this goal. In Michigan, California and Wisconsin (1996), recalls actually resulted in change of control, though only the Michigan one stuck (Democrats have been out of power in the Michigan Senate for nearly 40 years, ending this last election.

Michigan has also had four state legislative elections, in 1983, 2008 and 2011. Three of the four led to removal.

Two more Michigan House Representatives are facing recall efforts, bringing the total ongoing recall attempts to eight. 

The anti-voting movement? Atlantic article decries too many elected offices, NYT looks at Sortition

Two articles are now out going after voting. The Atlantic's Jerusalem Desmas argues that Americans vote too much, with way too many local election. The New York Times' has an op-ed by Adam Grant on Sortition, the idea that I've always found fascinating (namely choosing elected officials by lot). Alas, Grant doesn't mention that Ben Franklin suggested this for the presidential selection. 

I do want to say more about this, but I'll have to see if I can write it up one day. But at least want to share these pieces here. 

Louisiana: Petitioners making another attempt against Elton Mayor

Following the failure of the first attempt at recalling Elton Mayor Elton Mayor Kesia Skinner-Lemoine, which failed in spectacular fashion, with only one of the 322 signatures handed in approved, petitioners are giving it another try.

Petitioners needed 276 (40%). petitioners are giving it another chance and have taken out petitions. 

California: Petitions taken out against Anaheim City Councilmember

Petitions are being taken out against Anaheim City Council member Natalie Rubalcava after a public corruption investigation report was released. Petitioners need about 5000 signatures to get on the ballot. 

The corruption claim is based on a chamber of commerce created data mining operation that allegedly gave Rubalcava a list of names and contact info taken from community outreach groups. She is also accused of giving operational direction to city staff rather than the city manager. Rubalcava was elected in 2022, and Support our Anaheim Resort, a Disney PAC, was a big supporter. The Unite Here union, which has been fighting for a $25 minimum wage, has been a major opponent of Rubalcaya.

Oregon: Second batch of signatures handed in against State Representative in Cannabis/Labor bill fight after large number of first group invalidated

A huge number of signatures were declared invalid in the recall effort against State Representative Paul Holvey (D), leading petitioners to scramble and hand in more before the deadline.

In July, 6600 signatures were handed, with petitioners needing 4598 to get on the ballot and petitioners have more than a month (August 21) to add to the total. Only 2610 were validated. 

Petitioners have since handed in another 3939 signatures and need 1988 validations to get to the ballot.

The Holvey recall is not a partisan fight, rather it is being launch by one of the most powerful unions in the state, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555. Holvey is the Chair of the House Committee on Business and Labor.

The recall is over Holvey's failure to support a bill blocking cannabis employers from interfering with employee efforts to unionize. Holvey believed that it was preempted by federal law. Holvey was a former union representative and he notes that the state's largest union and others are backing Holvey in fighting the recall effort.

Louisiana: Signatures handed in against Jonesboro Mayor

Signatures have been handed in against Jonesboro Mayor James Harris over claims of voting irregularities. Among the committee members are a former Mayor Leslie Thompson, who lost to Harris, and a former Councilman.

Petitioners handed in 811 signatures, with 134 rejected (and 49 removed).

South Dakota: Democratic Party Chair kicked out in recall vote

South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Jennifer Slaight-Hansen was kicked out in a recall election, with a unanimous vote (though some members abstained. The committee will vote for a replacement on September 16, though Slaight-Hansen may appeal. Slaight-Hansen said she will not abide by the vote.

Slaight-Hansen was elected but took over early in April after the former Chairman died. The Party's Executive Director Dan Ahlers resigned due to issues with Slaight-Hansen. Petitions claim that Slaight-Hansen hired staffers and interns without the approval of Party officials (which she acknowledges, but says there was precedent).

South Dakota has 11 Democrats in the 105 seat legislature and hasn't won a statewide race since 2008.

Petitioners need to get signatures from 50% of the party's central committee. That would result in a special election where two-thirds of the party need to vote for removal.

Nevada: Douglas County School Board members facing recall threats

There is a discussion about recalling Douglas County School Board members Susan Jansen, Doug Englekirk, David Burns and Katherine Dickerson over complaints about violating open meeting laws. Petitioners also complain about board members looking at their phones during meetings.

Petitioners would need at least 7314 signatures (supposedly from voters who voted in the 2022 election, though I wonder if that would hold up). Additionally, the article notes that there is provision to have petitioners pay to count the petition, but again that may not hold up.

The last petition attempt was against four county commissioners in 1995, and the last time a recall got to the ballot was in 1991, when the Genoa Town Board members survived. This was apparently the start of a state-wide "recall craze."