Thursday, April 30, 2020

California: A look back at Long Beach Recall from 1934

This article looks back at the 1934 recall of the city attorney and city council and the removal of City Manager Claude C. Lewis. This article notes 11 people out of a job, though this book says it is nine who lost in the recall. There was no replacement provisions, which caused significant issues.

Taiwan: Poll finds 52% ready to recall Kaohsiung Mayor

Here -- The recall against Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yuto has been scheduled for June 6.

Colorado: Ouray County Sheriff recall vote set for June 30

The recall of Ouray County Sheriff Lance FitzGerald has been set for June 30. Petitioners turned in 1082 and got 914. They needed at least 768.

Fitzgerald's recall was started by the County Republicans party and joined by the Democrats, after he was accused of a DUI. His girlfriend was accused of domestic violence last year and was in jail for five days. He won office by 11 votes as an unaffiliated candidate, though he beat a Republican.

Sunday, April 26, 2020

New Zealand: Taxpayer's Union calls for recall law

New Zealand Taxpayers' Union is calling for a recall law after Wairoa Mayor Craig Little was reelected following the revelation that of a sexual harassment allegation and a $50,000 investigation and payout over the allegations.

Missouri: O'Fallon Council member facing petitions

O’Fallon Councilmember Dr. James Ottomeyer is facing a recall effort over a vote on the development of a golf course and driving range. The petition was rejected the first time and has been resubmitted. No word on how many signatures are needed.

Nevada: Las Vegas Mayor facing recall threats over push to open city early as placebo test

Following her strange TV interview in which she suggested that Las Vegas should serve as "placebo" to test opening for business for the coronavirus, Mayor Carolyn Goodman (I) is facing calls and online petitions for her recall. So far, there hasn't been an petitions taken out and the online version is not worth anything.

California: City of Industry Councilman recall scheduled for July 21

A recall election is scheduled against City of Industry Councilman Abraham Cruz on July 21, which is the city's first recall ever. Petitioners got 45 signatures, which was more than 1/3 of registered voters. The City of Industry rarely has elections and Cruz, who was appointed to his seat and has never been on the ballot.

Planning Commissioner Michael Greubel started the recall effort over Cruz allegedly assisting others in a lawsuit against the city. The lawsuit is over a solar farm which has been shut down and there is an attempt to restart it. Cruz claims the recall is being brought after he attempted to shine a light on a corruption suit. He was censured by the city council over a meeting with the former city manager, a former employee and a former state Senator.

Cruz has said that he will certainly get voted out and will be evicted due to the control of the town by one family.

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Michigan: Petition taken out against Michigan Governor

Petitions have been taken out against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) over her stay at home order. The petitioner has allegedly previously threatened to kill 10,000 people by poisoning the water supply and a family court referees and county judges. The petitioner has previously taken out four recall efforts, including against the former Albion Mayor Garrett Brown.

The petition comes after an online recall petition on alter.org that has 80,000 signatures. As noted before, online petitions do not count and are not really indicative of support (especially since most of the signers may be out of state).

Petitioners would need 1,062,647 signatures to get on the ballot, and thanks to changes in the law enacted by the GOP-led legislatures in 2012, a removal of Whitmer would simply lead to the elevation of the Lieutenant Governor.
.

Montana: Stevensville Mayor facing petitions

Stevensville Mayor Brandon Dewey is facing a recall effort over a contract for services with a tech provider. The claim is that the $79,800 contract wasn't approved by the City Council. There was also petitions filed five petitions filed agaiinst Dewey from 2018-2019, though non met the state's malfeasance standard and all were tossed.

Petitioners need 251 signatures in 90 days.

Monday, April 20, 2020

Nevada: Petitioning continuing against Governor despite Stay at Home Rules

The effort to recall Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak (D) has continued despite stay at home orders. The recall effort is led by a rural group called Fight for Nevada, attacking him on gun control, private well limits, DMV policy and an (apparently false) claim that he supports an income tax. The plan was announced last June. The group is now also protesting stay at home rules designed to stave off the spread of and potential death toll of the Coranvirus pandemic.

Petitioners would need 243,995 signatures in 90 days.

Petitioners would have to post a bond of pay for signature verification. Changes to the law also split the gathering period in two, and petitioners would have to hand in all signatures gathered in the first half (45 days) to be turned in soon after to be declared valid.

Taiwan: Kaohsiung Mayor recall vote scheduled for June 6

The recall against Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yuto has been scheduled for June 6.

Petitioners submitted about 400,000  and 377,662 have been verified. Petitioners needed 10% of eligible voters to sign (about 230,000). The Central Election Commission will meet on April 17 to decided whether to schedule the recall.

Han was the Kuomintang Presidential candidate in the recent election (he lost) and was being threatened with a recall following flooding in the town (though presumably this may be part of the presidential political wrangling). There is an absentee voter provision -- 25% of eligible voters must cast ballots for the recall to count.

Colorado: Idaho Springs Mayor, who survived April 7 recall vote, arrested for domestic violence allegations

Ten days after his surviving a recall Idaho Springs Mayor Mike Hillman was arrested for alleged domestic violence, harassment and criminal mischief charges.

Hillman survived a recall vote 348-244 (59% against the recall). The recall petition cited some catch-all language, though it appears to be over the increased speed of residential development.

Update: Hillman plead guilty and received a fine and probation.

Michigan: Two Casnovia Township officials facing recall election on May 5 over wind farm vote; Treasurer resigns

Two Casnovia Township officials, Clerk Jennie Powell (R) and Trustee Daniel Winell (R), will be up for a recall vote on May 5. Carrie Schuman is opposing Powell and Steven Sower Jr. is going against Winell. The recall is over their vote to approve wind farms.The wind farm has since been dropped. Petitioners got over 400 signatures.

Treasurer Gayle Brock also faced a recall effort, but he resigned.

Friday, April 17, 2020

Washington: Yakima City Councilmember facing recall threats over calling for resistance to social distancing guidelines

Yakima City Councilmember Jason White is facing recall threats after he called for resisting state and federal social distancing guidelines and called for people to "take off your masks!" The other Yakima councilmembers voted to censure White, who has not attended the last three council meetings.

Washington is a malfeasance state, so a petition would need to approve by the court. If it is approved, petitioners would need 25% of the turnout in 2017.

California: South Lake Tahoe Council members facing petitions over cell tower

South Lake Tahoe Councilmembers Devin Middlebrook and Tamara Wallace are facing a petitions following their vote to approve of a cell tower. Petitioners need 2246 signatures in 120 days.

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Wisconsin: Door County Supervisor defeats recall challenger in election rerun

In a rerun of recent recall, Door County Supervisor Roy Englebert once again triumphed over Forestville Trustee Lora Jorgensen, 230-167.

Englebert beat back a recall vote on November 19, topping Jorgensen, with 53.85%, (Jorgensen got 33% in the recall).

The recall was a primary, though since Englebert topped 50%, he won outright. The recall was over a plan to draw down the Forestville Dam Mill Pond to dry out contaminated sediment from the pond. Opponents claim it will hurt the fish stock. The recall was the first against a supervisor in the county since 2002.

Monday, April 13, 2020

Taiwan: Signatures verified in Kaohsiung Mayor recall

Signatures have been verified for the recall against  Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yuto, which should lead to a recall vote at the end of June. Petitioners submitted about 400,000  and 377,662 have been verified. Petitioners needed 10% of eligible voters to sign (about 230,000). The Central Election Commission will meet on April 17 to decided whether to schedule the recall.

Han was the Kuomintang Presidential candidate in the recent election (he lost) and was being threatened with a recall following flooding in the town (though presumably this may be part of the presidential political wrangling). There is an absentee voter provision -- 25% of eligible voters must cast ballots for the recall to count.

Alaska: WSJ Editorial opposing gubernatorial recall effort

Here

Colorado: Signatures verified for recall of Ouray County Sheriff

Looks like enough signatures have been handed in to get a recall of Ouray County Sheriff Lance FitzGerald on the ballot. Petitioners turned in 1082 and need at least 768. Fitzgerald's recall was started by the County Republicans party and joined by the Democrats, after he was accused of a DUI. His girlfriend was accused of domestic violence last year and was in jail for five days. He won office by 11 votes as an unaffiliated candidate, though he beat a Republican.

Massachusetts: Provincetown Selectman who resigned in 2014 in face of recall running for open seat

Provincetown selectmen chair Austin Knight, who resigned in 2014 during a recall effort (claiming his mother's health issues), is running for a newly opened selectmen seat.

Knight faced petitions over a election law violation and the former police chief encouraged on-duty police officers to vote for Knight and distribute his campaign signs from a police station.

California: Westminister Mayor and Councilmembers survive recall vote

Westminister Mayor Tri Ta and Councilmembers Kimberly Ho and Chi Charlie Nguyen have survived their all mail-in ballot special recall election on April 7. Ta received 59% votes (9507-6427), Ho won with 57% (9161-6178) and Nguyen got 58% of the vote (9207-6666).

The issue is claims of ethical violations, such as limiting debate and participation.

There is also an attempt against the other two members, Tao Do and Sergio Contreas. Do's supporters have backed the recall of the other three and Do welcomed the recall of the other three on Facebook.

Michigan: Online petition calls for Governor recall

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D), who has been attacked by Trump over her criticism for his failure to act on the coronavirus pandemic, has a recall petition on alter.org that has 80,000 signatures. As noted before, online petitions do not count and are not really indicative of support (especially since most of the signers may be out of state).

Petitioners would need 1,062,647 signatures to get on the ballot, and thanks to changes in the law enacted by the GOP-led legislatures in 2012, a removal of Whitmer would simply lead to the elevation of the Lieutenant Governor.

California: Auburn Mayor facing recall effort over criticism of Trump supporters

Auburn Mayor Bill Kirby is facing threats of a recall after Kirby posted criticism of Trump supporters over the coronavirus pandemic, including sharing a meme comparing them to the KKK. So far, the discussion of a recall is simply a Facebook page.

Update: Kirby died in a plane crash in April. 

Sunday, April 12, 2020

Massachusetts: Reading Select Board Chair recall facing coronavirus scheduling issues

The recall effort against Reading Select Board Chair Vanessa Alvarado has received enough signatures to get on the ballot, but it is now running into scheduling issues due to the coronavirus. Alvardo is also claiming that the signatures were fraudulently obtained.  2239 valids were submitted, petitioners needed 1998 to get on the ballot.

The issue seems to be questions regarding the search for a new police chef. The leader of the petition driver was former Select Board member John Arena (who lost to Alvarado two years ago).

Colorado: Elizabeth Mayor and Trustee both survive recall vote

Elizabeth Mayor Megan Vasquez and Trustee Tammy Payne both appear to have survived a recall vote on April 7. Vasquez seems to have won by 15 votes and Payne won by 11.

At the end of the year two Elizabeth trustees, were kicked out in a recallElizabeth Trustee June Jurczewsky and Trustee Rachel White. The recall was launched over the Mayor and Councils' support for development proposals.

Colorado: Nederland Mayor wins new term after courts combines vote with regular election

Nederland Mayor Kristopher Larson won a new term after court rulings stopped the recall effort against him. Larson was suppose to face a recall along with Trustees Dallas Masters and Julie Gustafson, but the timing allowed the city to push the recall onto a regular election date.

Trustees Dallas Masters and Julie Gustafson did not face a vote, and I'm unsure what happened to them in this race.

The recalls were over claims of "dereliction of duty." A regular town critic who is actually lives outside the town is one of the leaders of the effort. The complaints seems to be a kitchen sink effort, including complaints about Nederland's growth and lifting a moratorium on cannabis dispensaries.

Trustee James Rawsthorne resigned, complaining about the same issues that petitioners are using to target the three officials.

Colorado: Idaho Springs Mayor survives April 7 recall vote

Idaho Springs Mayor Mike Hillman has survived a recall vote 348-244 (59% against the recall). The recall petition cited some catch-all language, though it appears to be over the increased speed of residential development.

Monday, April 6, 2020

Idaho: Lincoln County Commissioners gets on August 25 special; clerk error pushes it off May 19 date

The recall effort against  Lincoln County Commissioners Rick Ellis and Roy Hubert has made the ballot, though neither will resign.  Petitioners handed in 608 signatures, and got 563 valids. They needed 442.

The recall is over a vote to build a new courthouse rather than make the current one ADA compliant. A bond effort failed, because they did not get 2/3rds of the vote. The recall will be scheduled for August 25 special election after the county clerk gave out the wrong date to submit the signatures for the May 19 general election.

Colorado: Wiggins Trustee facing April 7 recall vote

Wiggins Trustee Jeffrey Palmer is facing a recall vote tomorrow April 7 as part of the general municipal election. Not sure of the issues behind the recall effort.

Michigan: Jackson Councilwoman resigns in face of upcoming recall election

Facing a recall vote on May 5, Jackson Councilwoman Kelsey Heck has resigned over a vote to approve a traffic circle. Petitioners handed in 320 signatures  and needed 226.

Heck was appointed to the seat after the resignation of her predecessor. A former council candidate, Susan Murdie, is leading the recall effort. The replacement will be appointed.

Sunday, April 5, 2020

Alaska: Supreme Court wants further details on line-item veto provisions for gubernatorial recall; Petitioners acknowledge special election unlikely

The Alaska Supreme Court has asked for further arguments in the recall case against Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy (R) by April 13. The judges want further explanation of the historical basis of for governor's veto authority and the requirement that he provides a statement of objections for the veto. They also want each side to provide opinions on what the constitutional limits are to the line item veto.

The petitioners have also stated that it is unlikely that a special election recall will happen before the August 18 statewide primary. Signatures would need to be handed in by April 19.

Wisconsin: Senate Minority Leader, winner of recall in 2011, not seeking reelection

Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling (D), who won office in a 2011 recall vote against former Senator Dan Kapanke (R), has announced that she is not seeking reelection. Shilling faced Kapanke in 2016 and beat hum again by 56 vote. Kapanke has announced that he is running for the seat against.

Saturday, April 4, 2020

Idaho: Signatures handed in against Lincoln County Commissioners

Petitioners handed in 608 signatures for the recall of Lincoln County Commissioners Rick Ellis and Roy Hubert over a vote to build a new courthouse rather than make the current one ADA compliant. A bond effort failed, because they did not get 2/3rds of the vote. Petitioners need 442 signatures to get on the ballot.

California: Serrano El Dorado Owners' Association Board facing recall effort

Serrano El Dorado Owners' Association Board are facing a Recall Election over a plan to redesignate the an old golf course to residential zoning. The recalls will take place weeks after the a reelection race.

California: Fresno Unified Trustee facing recall threats

Petitioners need to hand in signatures by May 12 for the recall of Fresno School Board Trustee Terry Slatic. The recall is over arguments with a cheerleading team, a wrestling coach and an army recruiter. Slatic was put in office in December. Two trustees, Veva Islas and Keshia Thomas, spoke in favor of a recall effort.

Petitioners need 7388 signatures and claim to have 914.

Florida: Howey-in-the-Hills Town Councilman recall still scheduled for April 14, though Saturday is last day for mail ballot

The recall for Howey-in-the-Hills Councilman Matthew McGill is set for April 14, with today being the last day for a mail ballot. The vote has not been postponed, and the Lake County Supervisor of Election Alan Hays notes that only the Governor can do that.

From previous coverage, McGill and others are threatening to sue the town for a $1M each, with complaints of ethical violations. McGill has complained about the police chief's enforcement policies.