California: Q&A with Oaklandside on the Mayoral recall

Here's my deep dive Q&A interview with Eli Wolfe of Oaklandside on the Oakland Mayoral recall.

Alaska: Two Juneau School Board members survive reclal vote

Juneau Board of Education President Deedie Sorensen (2062-4091) and VP Emil Mackey (2175-3982) appeared to survive their October 1 recall votes, which took place at the same time as the municipal election. 

The recall is officially over a $7.9 million budget deficient, caused by what petitioners claim are accounting errors, though a district consolidation plan seems to be the big issue. Petitioners tried to include the consolidation plan in the petition, but was rejected because of the state's malfeasance standard (though even that may be easily surmounted due to recent court cases).  They are the only two board members eligible for a recall vote (the others either have an immediate election or were recently elected).

Petitioners handed in 2408 for Mackey and 2396 for Sorensen. They need 2359 signatures to get on the ballot.  Unfortunately, the document does not provide a breakdown of the verified/rejected rate. The recall could cost $105,000.

Update: Here's an article opposing the recall effort and noting that school consolidation is a nationwide phenomenon.

Louisiana: Petitions taken out against Shreveport Councilmember

Shreveport Councilmember Gary Brooks is facing a recall effort. The claim is that he is unresponsive. 

New York: Oped on Would a recall law help NYC with its Mayoral scandal

Here's my New York Daily News op-ed on the recall law and the Mayor Eric Adams scandal (and here it is on NY1).

Ballotpedia looks at biggest recall states

Here's Ballotpedia's look at the top recall states by attempts, with California, Michigan and Colorado topping the list. I believe that in terms of actual recalls making the ballot (leading to a vote or a resignation), Michigan easily tops the list, with California and Oregon close together.

Michigan: Flint Councilmember dies, was facing recall vote on Election Day

If Flint's recalls could not getting any stranger, Flint Councilmember Quincy Murphy, who was facing a recall effort on Election Day, November 5, 2024, has died. The recall will still be on the ballot, but the results will not count. The other recall fights have not made the ballot.

California: How the 2024 presidential race is similar to the 2003 California gubernatorial recall

Here's Los Angeles Times columnist Mark Barabak making the comparison. 

Michigan: 8 petitions taken out against Flint Mayor

Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley was hit with eight different recall petitions, some over the water issues and others over a golf course negotiation. There were previous attempts against Neeley that did not go anywhere. 

Flint has been the source of many recalls in recent years, and was going to have one on the ballot on Election Day in November, but the councilmember died. 

Op-ed in the Chicago Tribune on the history and patterns of voter turnout

Here's my op-ed in the Chicago Tribune on what I expect to be a turnout drop in the election in 2024, regardless of candidates and issues. Could certainly impact recalls.