California: San Francisco Supervisor recall scheduled for September 16

The recall election of San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio has made the ballot and is scheduled for September 16. Petitioners handed in 10,985 signatures, with 10.523 valid. They needed 9911. 

The validity rate was 95.8%. It's not clear why they did a full count. They previously announced a 99,3% validity rate, when they checked 549 checked signature using the randomg sampling method. That would suggest that they didn't need to check each one. 

Petitioners handed supposedly collected over 14000, which appears to mean that they did a great job of checking them over (they may have handed in another 300 additional ones).

Here's my last look at signature verification rates for other large recall events.

The recall is over the Engardio's support for the passage of Prop. K, which will lead to a new park and the closing of the Great Highway. 

Proposition K passed with 56% of the vote, but in Engardio's district, the vote was 63.7% opposed, so real risk. 

The lead petition resigned from the role over debates about spending -- reportedly, the campaign has spent over $100,000 for signature collection and is looking to put in some more, though they are in debt. Engardio has a 4-1 advantage in funds. 

California: San Francisco Supervisor recall appears to make the ballot, with 99.3% verification rate

The recall effort against San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio appears to have made the ballot, with an incredible 99.3% of the 549 checked signatures verified (in the randomg sampling method -- so 4 of 549). Petitioners handed in 10,700 signatures  though supposedly they collected over 14000, which appears to mean that they did a great job of checking them over (they may have handed in another 300 additional ones). They need 9911 and under the sampling, they would get 10,525. 

Here's my last look at signature verification rates for other large recall events.

The recall is over the Engardio's support for the passage of Prop. K, which will lead to a new park and the closing of the Great Highway. 

Proposition K passed with 56% of the vote, but in Engardio's district, the vote was 63.7% opposed, so real risk. 

The lead petition resigned from the role over debates about spending -- reportedly, the campaign has spent over $100,000 for signature collection and is looking to put in some more, though they are in debt. Engardio has a 4-1 advantage in funds. 

Alaska: Palmer Mayor recall survives recall vote

Palmer Mayor Steve Carrington survived a recall vote 222-176 after 202 other ballot counted (Palmer trailed 99-97 on Election Day. Turnout was about 8%. 

The recall appears to be over over a $75K severance payment to a city manager who served for 53 days. The complaint is focused on Open Meeting Act violations.

Three Palmer City Councilmembers were kicked out in a recall in 2022. The lead petitioner against the three councilmembers is also leading the effort against Carrington. Carrington was elected in 2022, but served for a decade on the council. 

California: Signatures handed in against San Francisco Supervisor

Petitioners have handed in 10,700 signatures for the recall effort against San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio, though supposedly they collected over 14000, which could mean that they feel they done a better job of checking them over. They need 9911, so this could be close.

They will use a random sampling method (I explain it here), where they will check 5% -- or 595. Here's my last look at signature verification rates.

The recall is over the Engardio's support for the passage of Prop. K, which will lead to a new park and the closing of the Great Highway. 

Proposition K passed with 56% of the vote, but in Engardio's district, the vote was 63.7% opposed, so real risk. 

Petitioners need about 9400 signatures by late May.

The lead petition resigned from the role over debates about spending -- reportedly, the campaign has spent over $100,000 for signature collection and is looking to put in some more, though they are in debt. Engardio has a 4-1 advantage in funds. 

Florida: Cape Coral Mayor facing petitions

Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter is facing a recall effort over a vote to turn over part of a creek preserve into a water and pumping facility. He also is facing criticism for an alleged $60,000 stipend that was proposed in the past.

Petitioners need 7000 signatures (5%) in 30 days to clear the first stage and then have 60 days to get 15% of voters -- so perhaps 21000? The stories don't seem to explain it. 

Alaska: Palmer Mayor recall super close with ballots still to be counted

Very close race in the recall against Palmer Mayor Steve Carrington, who is currently losing 99-97, with another 193 ballots to be counted.

The recall appears to be over over a $75K severance payment to a city manager who served for 53 days. The complaint is focused on Open Meeting Act violations.

Three Palmer City Councilmembers were kicked out in a recall in 2022. The lead petitioner against the three councilmembers is also leading the effort against Carrington. Carrington was elected in 2022, but served for a decade on the council. 

Colorado: Mountain View Councilmember ousted

Mountain View Councilman Brent John Metz was ousted in a recall, l127-72, and was replaced by Ryan Debner. Metz is accused of shooting a teen in the face and faces assault (and other) charges. Two teens were allegedly looking for a place to take homecoming pictures. 

Rhode Island: Westerly Town Council President facing petitions

Petitions have been taken out against Westerly Town Council President Chris Duhamel. The recall is over a suit about a right of way and access to a beach. The article mentions that they need 20% of turnout, though it seems that voters cast ballots for multiple officials (somewhere near 13000 voted in the presidential. They have 45 days. 

Wisconsin: DeForest Village Trustee facing petitions

DeForest Village Trustee Bill Landgraf is facing petitions over a vote to remove fluoride and claims of unprofessional and intimidating behavior. Landgraf is accused of reporting misconduct against a dental hygienist who opposed him on social media. Petitioners need 1392 signatures in 60 days. 

Montana: Petitions taken out against Hill County Commissioner

Petitions have been taken out against Hill County Commissioner Sheri Williams over claims of an hostile environment. Williams was censured by the other two commissioners and has faced complaints over a senior meal program. Montana is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state and there does need to be a showing of cause for the recall to move forward.

Petitioners need about 2000 signatures, 700 of which have to be from Williams' district, by August 12. 

Maine: Dexter School Board members facing recall vote on June 10th

Dexter School Board Members Judy Saunders and Alisha Ames are facing the voters on June 10th. The pro-recall group is called "Stop the Power Trip!" The group complains about conflict of interest including Ames' involvement with a homeschool co-op and that Saunders' daughter works in the district.

Petitioners handed in 363 signatures against Ames and 350 for Saunders. They need 296.

Nebraska: Harvard Mayoral recall cancelled due to grace period

A recall effort against Harvard Mayor Nathanael Brown scheduled for June 10 has been cancelled, as the mayor has a 6th month grace period at the start of the term (which was September 16, 2024) and petitions were handed in in January. Don't see anything about what the recall is about. 

Louisiana: Petitions taken out against St. Bernard Parish President

St. Bernard Parish President Louis Pomes is facing petitions over his support for a bill that would allow the Port of New Orleans to construct a road connecting the International Terminal to the highway.  He opposed the bill HB 616 in the campaign,

Petitioners need 5451 signatures by November 11.

Texas: Balch Springs Councilmember facing petitions

Balch Springs Councilmember Paula Garcia over claims of misconduct. The leader of the effort, Jess Reaka, is a former Parks & Recreation advisory board member who was removed due to social media posts and does not live in the district. 

Petitioners need 54 signatures (50% of turnout) in 30 days.

Missouri: Petitioners hand in additional 20K signatures for recall of Jackson County Executive/All-Star Royals 2nd Baseman

Petitioners have handed in another 20,000 signatures, on top of the claimed 60,000 signatures for the recall of Jackson County Executive Frank White -- (yes, the Royals former All-Star 2nd Baseman). It sounds like over 80,000 have been handed in, though this has been an odd recall effort. 

Previously, the group said they need (or needed -- I'm not clear) to raise $150,000 to get the petitioners to hand it in. This appears to be a separate group handing in the signatures that raise the total to 80,000. It is not clear how that worked.

The recall is 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. White says that it was over his vote against a Stadium, and the leaders of the petition (who owe $150,000 for polling), are contractors who wanted a yes vote.

Three legislators have asked the Attorney General for an investigation into White

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

California: Lead petitioner quits role in recall effort against San Francisco Supervisor

The lead petitioner in the recall effort against San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio has resigned from the role over debates about spending -- reportedly, the campaign has spent over $100,000 for signature collection and is looking to put in some more, though they are in debt. Engardio has a 4-1 advantage in funds. 

The recall was over the passage of Prop. K, which will lead to a new park and the closing of the Great Highway. 

Proposition K passed with 56% of the vote, but in Engardio's district, the vote was 63.7% opposed, so real risk. 

Petitioners need about 9400 signatures by late May.

Articles have noted that Engardio was a big supporter of the recall of San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin (who is a constituent of Engardio and says he will vote against the recall). 

Idaho: Caldwell Mayor and City Councilmembers send cease-and-desist letter to petitioner over comments

City Council members have sent a cease-and-desist letter to the lead petitioner in the recall against Caldwell Mayor Jarom Wagoner and City Councilmember Geoff Williams, Chris Allgood, Mike Dittenberg and Brad Doty demanding that he stop calling them a "crime family." The petitioner claims the reference is to a conviction for a councilmember's wife for misusing funds two decades ago.

The recall is over the approval of hotel which led to demonstrations for "Save the Dirt Lot." The site is currently used for event parking. There are also complaints about parking meters and the council's approval of the police chief. 

Petitioner would need 20% of signatures, which appears to be 5000, from registered voters in 75 days.

Washington: Recall effort against Mabton Mayor fails due to end of term grace period

The recall effort against Mabton Mayor Rachel Ruelas seems to have failed, as signatures were handed in days after the six month end of term grace period (they needed to be in by the 4th, but were in on the 12th). 

The failed recall was recently approved by the Washington Supreme Court, which upheld (6-3) the judicially approved recall petition. The court ruled that she failed to meet the deadline. Washington is a malfeasance standard state and judges usually toss out recall efforts as not meeting the statutorily delineated reasons for a recall.  

The recall effort came after the former city clerk was accused of allowing her boyfriend to abscond with $22K in checks and cash from the city. There also has been no access to two council agendas or eight recording of meetings. Council members have not seen the budget and there has been trouble with live-streaming meetings. 

Petitioners needed 59 signatures in 90 days. 

Note that one of the articles notes that recalls are not allowed to be held at the same time as the November general election, which is the opposite of how most states work. I'm not sure about how this works -- it does set dates for local elections and says recalls are excepted.  It does specify that recalls can't be held between a primary and general election date. However, it could make the April ballot.

Arizona: Signatures handed in against Nogales Councilmember

Signatures have been handed in against Nogales City Councilmember Saulo Bonilla over allegations  of a pattern of aggressive behavior, specifically to women. He is facing disorderly conduct charges (beyond the current complaint). Petitioners handed in 397 signatures and need 339.

Maryland: Salisbury Mayor facing recall threats

Salisbury Mayor Randy Taylor is facing recall threats on social media. It seems to have to do with housing projects, though it's no one has yet acknowledged being behind the effort. One of the social media posts also notes that the City Manager left the job. 

Petitioners would need about 1577 signatures in 90 days.