The Year in Recalls -- 77 officials ousted, 22 survive, 31 resign; 430+ recalls attempted

We're wrapping up another year with our year-end article in Plurbius News on the Year in Recalls, providing the year-end recap. Here's Ballotpedia's look, and they have similar results. 

Recalls continue last year's march towards normalcy, with 99 officials facing actual recall votes (in 17 states). This year seems to be the best percentage for recall proponents, with 77 losing and only 22 surviving. 31 officials also resigned in the face of recalls (the recalls were held for three of them anyway). About 430 recalls were attempted, though some of those recalls were from last year and just failed to turn in. It is also clear that we're missing some as well (always happens). 

Last year saw 89 recall elections, with 52 officials removed and 37 survived. There were 18 resignations. 

For some comparisons, In 2020 and 2021, voter anger over pandemic-era lockdowns inspired far more recall efforts. In 2021 alone, voters attempted to recall officials more than 600 times. In 2020, just 66 officials were forced into recall elections, and 14 more resigned before they had to face a recall. The same number, 66, faced recalls in 2021, and another 17 resigned early. 

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).

Some traditional caveats here:

• We are definitely missing recalls here. As I've mentioned many times before, the death of local newspapers is a disaster for local political coverage (not to mention for the country and democracy in general). The result is a number of recalls fall the cracks and are not reported on. Sometimes they pop up later.
• 2021 was the first time since I've been keeping track (since 2011) that more officials survived a recall vote than lost. 2022 is back to form.

California: Recall effort against Oakland Mayor to start next year

 There is now threats to recall Oakland Mayor Sheng Tao. We'll wait to hear more.

California: More on State Senate recall

Some more details about the recall effort against State Senator Aisha Wahab (D), based in Fremont.

The leader of the effort seems to be Ritesh Tandon, who is challenging Congressman Ro Khanna (though that seems like an extreme longshot race).

Some of the stories suggest that recall seems to be about her bill that attempted to outlaw caste discrimination (the bill was vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom). The website lists a kitchen sink of complaints, but the caste discrimination bill seems to be her most notable moment.

Petitioners need 42,802 signatures to get on the ballot. They are aiming for 75-80K, which at least sounds like the right amount, though let's call it a heavy lift.

Maine: Pittston Selectman recall has the signatures

Pittston Selectman Joe Caputo looks like he will be facing the voters in the coming year, though there is some question on how the petitions should be addressed (it says that it should be addressed to "those members of the Select Board having no interest in the subject matter of the petition.") Caputo is one of the officials who is on the board and Selectman Jean Ambrose signed the petition. Ambrose' sister started the petition.

The recall is about a more hostile environment, turning it "less friendly." There is complaints about the treatment of the road commissioner.

Petitioners needed 153 signatures. The recall could be on the March ballot.

Michigan: Ishpeming City Council petition rejected on clarity/factualness grounds

The recall effort against Ishpeming City Council member Lindsay Bean was rejected on clarity/factualness grounds. The effort was led by former Council member Michael Tompkins. The recall seems to be over claims that Bean supported the City Manager and City Attorney in a non-specified action violating the charter and Open Meetings Act. No word on whether he will resubmit.

Missouri: Columbia City Councilmember recall makes the ballot

The recall effort against Columbia City Councilmember Nick Knoth over claims that his recent acceptance of a position as a Director of Government Affairs & Regional Advocacy with the Missouri Association of REALTORS is a conflict of interest, has enough signatures to make the ballot.

Petitioners handed in 421 signatures and (it seems) 370 were verified. They needed 336. The recall could be held in April, August or November.

Nebraska: Crawford Mayor facing petitions

Petitions have been taken out against Crawford Mayor Tom Phillips, with petitioners claiming that he does not live in Crawford and that he has a conflict of interest, as his wife is a book-keeper for a city-owned golf course. Petitioners need 75 signatures by February 2nd.

Crawford has a mayoral recall in 2021, which the official survived.

California: Petitions taken out against Big Bear Lake Mayor

Big Bear Lake Mayor Perri Melnick is facing a recall effort over the issue of vacation home rentals. Big Bear Lake has been in a number of fights on this issue, including last year's recall of Councilmember Alan Lee and a previous recall effort against Councilmember Bynette Mote.

Nebraska: Humboldt Mayor resigns in face of recall effort

Humboldt Mayor Ron Rathbone has resigned in the face of a recall effort. Not sure what the recall was about. There is also talk of recalling other council members. 

Humboldt's previous mayor, Bob Mendenhall, survived a recall vote in 2020.

Oregon: Lakeside Mayor and three councilors lose recall, city still trying to schedule replacement race

City officials are still trying to set up replacement races for Lakeside Mayor Sherry Kinsey and councilors Karen Hurn, Kim Ritter and Jaci Smith, who were all voted out in their November 28th recall. The results of the recall election have not been certified yet, so we still are waiting for the actual numbers.  It seems like they can't schedule the replacement race for the March 12 deadline, but we'll see. 

The recall was over money spent to boost local tourism. Apparently, the council spent $23,250 on rebranding the city's logo and buying a $280,000 property. Petitioners needed 176 signatures.

Michigan: Inland Township Clerk survives recall vote

Inland Township Clerk Rose Wirth survived a recall on Election Day 273-252. The recall was over claims that she did not post notification of a special board meeting (which was claimed to be a violation of the Open Meeting Act). Wirth had previously resigned and then rescinded her resignation in 2022.

Ohio: Lakota School Board Member, who is facing petitions, hit with restraining order by another board member

Apparently, there is still a recall effort ongoing against Lakota School Board Member Darbi Boddy. who has now been hit with a restraining order to stay away from another member of the board.

Boddy, who was elected last year, has focused on complaints about teaching Critical Race Theory and LGBTQ lessons, though officials and other board members have claimed that it is not taught in the district. 

Petitioners need 6751 valid signatures, though it sounds like a court (Butler County Common Pleas Court) would decided on whether she would remain, which sounds like Virginia's Recall Trial law.

California: Signatures handed in against four Lamont School Board members

Signatures have been handed in for the recall of Lamont Elementary School Board Trustees Gilberto Lopez Jr., Pablo Trevino, Ernesto Garay and Evelyn Velasquez. The issue is complaints about leadership, specifically the decision to put an administrator on leave. 

Petitioners need 1150 valids. Not sure how many were handed in.

UK: Conservative MP ousted through recall petition, by-election to be set

A recall election against former Conservative MP Peter Bone has gotten to the ballot after he was suspended for six weeks for sexual misconduct and bullying his staff. As per UK rules (see below) the office is now vacant, no word yet if Bone will seek election in the by-election. Bone has been in office since 2005 and was previously deputy leader of Commons. Petitioners handed in 10505 signatures and needed 7904.

As with other recalls in UK, a suspension of 10 days from Parliament leads to the ability to start a recall petition. If enough signatures are gathered, the official is automatically removed and a by-election is scheduled. 

Colorado: Petitions taken out against Garfield School Board Member

Petitions have been filed against Garfield RE-2 School Board Member Tony May. May has pushed for the adoption of the American Birthright Standards instead of the state standards. There are also complaints about behavior.

Petitioners need 2378 signatures by January 26.

Colorado: Ebert Metropolitan District Treasurer set for February 13

The recall election of Ebert Metropolitan District Treasurer Murray Hawthorne has been set for February 13, 2024. The petition claimed verbal abuse and physical intimidation. 

Wisconsin: Signatures handed in against Raymond School Board Members

Signatures have been turned in against Raymond School Board Members Gwen Keller and Jannell Wise, with 666 and 667 signatures handed in. They need 497 valids.

The recall seems to be over the firing of a principal. The principal claims he was fired because he is gay.

Michigan: Flint Councilmember removes name from May 2024 recall ballot

The recall of Flint Councilmember Eva Worthing made the May 2024 primary ballot, but Worthing will not be running to keep her position. Presumably the election will still be run.

Petitioners handed in 546 valid signatures and needed 510. 

There have also been attempted recalls against Vice President Ladel Lewi,  Dennis Pfeiffer, Eric Mays and Judy Priestley (with two filed against Priestly). Herkenroder already announced that she is resigning her seat. No word on the other efforts.

The recall effort against Flint Council Vice President Ladel Lewi failed after a bizarre twist, with petitioners missing out by 63 signatures. 1022 were handed in and 722 were validated. They needed 785. However, the clerk's office originally misplaced six pages, which led to a second count and the close numbers. 

The recall is over claims that Mays and another councilmember called a meeting that they others did not attend over the question of applying for a community grant program funding. Mays has also been charged with disorderly conduct for conduct at the council meetings that has apparently gone viral.

Michigan: Flint Councilmember recall makes the ballot

The recall of Flint Councilmember Eva Worthing has gotten on the ballot, as petitioners handed in 546 valid signatures and needed 510. 

There have also been attempted recalls against Vice President Ladel Lewi,  Dennis Pfeiffer, Eric Mays and Judy Priestley (with two filed against Priestly). Herkenroder already announced that she is resigning her seat. No word on the other efforts.

The recall effort against Flint Council Vice President Ladel Lewi failed after a bizarre twist, with petitioners missing out by 63 signatures. 1022 were handed in and 722 were validated. They needed 785. However, the clerk's office originally misplaced six pages, which led to a second count and the close numbers. 

The recall is over claims that Mays and another councilmember called a meeting that they others did not attend over the question of applying for a community grant program funding. Mays has also been charged with disorderly conduct for conduct at the council meetings that has apparently gone viral.

Michigan: Petition language approved against Onaway School Board Members

Petition language has been approved in the recall effort against Onaway Board of Education President James Rieger, VP Erin Chaskey and Trustee John Palmer. The recall seems to be about their setting up a "Hillsdale-style charter school."

There is also an attempt to recall Secretary Lorrie Kowalski, though it sounds like she is part of a different county and that board has to be approve the language.