Ohio: University Heights Mayor facing new petition

A new petition has been taken out University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan. The first  recall effort failed to hand in any signatures. 

In that effort, petitioners claim it is over inappropriate behavior and defamation as well as a host of other complaints. Brennan argues that it is over the celebration of Juneteenth, which he claims are pushing to turn it into "Diversity Day" while Brennan notes that Juneteenth is a federal holiday, though petitioners deny this.

Petitioners need 1177 signatures in 100 days. 

Michigan: More Petitions filed against Flint officials

Back on the Flint recall case -- six petitions were filed against Flint Council President Ladel Lewis and 9 against Judy Priestly.

There have been numerous recall attempts that have failed including four against Lewis. The recalls seem to be about community grant program, approval of Brownfield Plans and how revenue is allocated and a power struggle.

There is a current recall just filed against Councilmember Tonya Burns.

The recall of recall of Flint Councilmember Quincy Murphy did make the ballot, but Murphy died before the election.

 making him the third Flint Councilmember to have active petitions outstanding. There are also attempts many other officials in Flint. The claim against Pfeiffer is "conduct unbecoming a councilmember."

A recall against Flint Councilmember Eva Worthing got on the ballot, but she did not run in the May 7th vote.  

Worthing called out four other councilmembers, led by Eric Mays, against whom there were recall efforts. The four were Councilmember Dennis Pfeiffer, Mays, Jerri Winfrey-Carter and Tonya Burns.

The anti-Mays forces claim 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.

Recalls were also filed against councilmember Priestley (with two filed against Priestly). Former Council President Allie Herkenroder already announced that she was resigning her seat last year. 

North Dakota: Dickinson Commissioner recall set for March 11

The recall election against Dickinson Commissioner Jason Fridrich has been set for March 11. The ones against Mayor Scott Decker and Commissioner John Odermann failed. There is a question on how many signatures were needed due to whether to follow the ND Code or the Home Rule Charter. Dickinson's Home Rule Charter required 15% of voters versus 25% in the state Code. The recall is over a claim that he did not properly take the oath of office.

Petitioners needed 724 for Decker and Odermann and 424 for Fridrich.

Here's an op-ed denouncing the recall effort:

What will we have achieved as a city? Nothing. What will we have gained in the process? A waste of taxpayer dollars, a black eye for the city and a dangerous precedent that personal grievances and procedural nitpicking can unseat anyone who dares to lead.

Recalls are a vital safeguard in our republic. But, like any tool, they must be used responsibly and for their intended purpose. A recall’s purpose is to protect citizens from officials who abuse their office or blatantly violate their responsibilities — not to settle petty disagreements or advance personal agendas. This recall reeks of the latter and should dishearten all of us.

Washington: Seattle School Board President recall tossed out under malfeasance standard

A Judge has tossed out the recall effort against Seattle School Board President Liza Rankin. The recall was over school closures. Washington is a malfeasance standard state, so petitioners needed to show cause. The Judge rejected the reasoning here. 

California: San Mateo County Sheriff facing ouster threats

San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus is facing a recall threat and an effort for removal by the County Supervisors. The Supervisors are looking to put a ballot proposition for a vote in March allowing for removal of a sheriff with causes, with a 3/4's vote of the supervisor's. 

The recall needs over 45,000 signatures.

The issue is over claims of a work romance and a use of slurs. 

Colorado: Three Dillon councilmember recalls scheduled for March 4

The recall effort against three Dillon Councilmembers, John Woods, Dana Christiansen and Renee Imamura, has made the ballot and is scheduled for March 4. Petitioners apparently needed 17 signatures.

The recall seems to be over the vote for a development project. The town than overturned the vote in a referendum. 

Ohio: Brookville Mayor and Vice Mayor recall makes the ballot for January 7

The recall effort against Brookville Mayor Chuck Letner and Vice Mayor James Zimmerlin has made the ballot and will be held on January 7. 

The group is called Brookville Citizens for Keep it Rural, so pretty clear what's coming next -- development is the issue here, though they are also complaining about transparency. 

The recall will cost $16,000.

Michigan: Another Flint Councilmember facing recalls

Flint Councilmember Tonya Burns is the latest recall target, with four petitions taken out against her. She now loses her position as the only current councilmember not hit with a recall effort.

Update: The petitions were rejected on clarity/factualness grounds.

North Dakota: Dickinson Commissioner recall makes the ballot; two others fail

A recall effort effort against Dickinson Commissioner Jason Fridrich appears to have made the ballot, though the ones against Mayor Scott Decker and Commissioner John Odermann failed. There is a question on how many signatures were needed due to whether to follow the ND Code or the Home Rule Charter. Dickinson's Home Rule Charter required 15% of voters versus 25% in the state Code. The recall is over a claim that he did not properly take the oath of office.

Petitioners needed 724 for Decker and Odermann and 424 for Fridrich.

Here's an op-ed denouncing the recall effort:

What will we have achieved as a city? Nothing. What will we have gained in the process? A waste of taxpayer dollars, a black eye for the city and a dangerous precedent that personal grievances and procedural nitpicking can unseat anyone who dares to lead.

Recalls are a vital safeguard in our republic. But, like any tool, they must be used responsibly and for their intended purpose. A recall’s purpose is to protect citizens from officials who abuse their office or blatantly violate their responsibilities — not to settle petty disagreements or advance personal agendas. This recall reeks of the latter and should dishearten all of us.

Oregon: Josephine County Commissioner claims handbook wasn't followed by using statistical sampling method

The upcoming recall vote against Josephine County Commissioner John West, scheduled for December 17, has lead to by West filing an injunction claiming that the recall handbook wasn't followed.  The claim is that they used a statistical sampling method to check the signatures (checking 10%) instead of checking every single one. Petitioners needed over 4500 signatures.

The recall is apparently led by former Commissioner and state Representative Lily Morgan. Both are Republicans.

The recall is over claims of insufficient law enforcement funding, defunding a service district and an auctioning off of timberland. 

One of the other Commissioners, Herman Baertschiger, was not targeted as he did not run for reelection. He did face a failed recall attempt in 2022.

Ohio: Brookville Mayor and Vice Mayor face petitions

Petitions have been taken out against Brookville Mayor Chuck Letner and Vice Mayor James Zimmerlin. The group is called Brookville Citizens for Keep it Rural, so pretty clear what's coming next -- development is the issue here. 

Colorado: Signatures handed in against three Dillon councilmembers

Signatures have been handed in against three Dillon Councilmembers, John Woods, Dana Christiansen and Renee Imamura. Petitioners need about 35 signatures.

The recall seems to be over the vote for a development project. The town than overturned the vote in a referendum. 

Maine: Arundel's RSU 21 School Board member resigns

Arundel's RSU 21 School Board member Kristin Shapiro has resigned after petitions were taken out against her. The recall effort was over claims about behavior and the board censured her for comments and outbursts, though the precipitating event seems to be that she is also on the contract negotiations committee (with a contract currently in mediation), which has led to tensions between teachers and the board. 

Petitioners needed 231 signatures (10% of gubernatorial turnout) in 14 days. 

In 2022, Kennebunk had a recall against school board member Tom Stentiford, which he survived. Contract negotiations were also a major part of that recall.

New Jersey: Toms River Mayor facing petitions

Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick is facing a recall effort a week after his candidate won a township election.

The lead petitioner seems to be focused on an animal shelter, though there is a kitchen sink of complaints, including development plans and a fight with the former police chief. Petitioners would need over 20,000 signatures to get to the ballot.

California: San Francisco Supervisor facing recall effort over new park

San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio is facing a recall effort over the city's approval with Prop. K of a new park on the Great Highway. 

Louisiana: St. Martinville Councilmember recall efforts fail

The recall effort against St. Martinville Councilmember Janise Anthony has failed. The reasons were quite open-ended (unfit for office), so hopefully we'll find out more. 

Missouri: Jackson County Executive/All-Star 2nd Baseman facing recall efforts

There is a recall effort against Jackson County Executive Frank White -- (yes, the Royals Star 2nd Baseman) over complaints that property taxes are going up between 30% - 400%. There is a complaint that White's salary went up 7%. A recall was threatened last year as well. This effort is funded by unknown sources. 

Petitioners would need 42,902 valids to get on the ballot.

Oregon: Josephine County Commissioner makes December 17 ballot

The recall against Josephine County Commissioner John West has made the ballot and will be held on December 17. The recall was over claims of insufficient law enforcement funding, defunding a service district and an auctioning off of timberland. 

One of the other Commissioners, Herman Baertschiger, was not targeted as he did not run for reelection. He did face a failed recall attempt in 2022.

Washington: Petitions taken out against Seattle School Board President

Petitions have been taken out against Seattle School Board President Liza Rankin. The recall seems to be about school closures. 

Washington is a malfeasance standard state, so petitioners need to show cause, which is no easy task.

California: Los Banos Councilmembers appear to lose recall votes

It looks like the recalls of Los Banos Councilmembers Brett Jones and Douglas Begonia have succeeded, Jones down 1344-501 and Begonia losing 1352-320. 

Petitions claim that the recall is over a decision to rehire a fired city manager, raise the base pay and settle a $1.8 million lawsuit filed by the manager. There's also questions of the departure of staffers. Jones and Begonia blame a developer for leading the effort. 

2006 signatures were handed in for Begonia (1706 were verified and 1404 were approved). 2252 were handed in for Jones, and 1650 were approved.