Friday, November 29, 2024

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 make the ballot

The recall effort against three Dillon Councilmembers, John Woods, Dana Christiansen and Renee Imamura, has made the ballot. 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.

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.

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

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.

Monday, November 18, 2024

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.

Friday, November 15, 2024

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.

Friday, November 8, 2024

California: Yucaipa City Council member ousted in recall

Yucaipa Councilmember Matt Garner has been ousted in a recall vote, with 67% opposed (though the votes are still being counted).

The recall was over support for a high-density project, though there in 2023, petitions were taken out against Garner, Yucaipa Mayor Justin Beaver, Mayor Pro Tem Bobby Duncan and Councilmember Matt Garner over the decision to oust the City Manager and City Attorney. The decision came two months after their contracts were renewed. There are claims of working with developers on the ouster.

This is apparently the first recall attempt in Yucaipa history.

Arizona: Cottonwood City Council member ousted in recall

Cottonwood City Councilmember Lisa DuVernay lost her recall election, 2073-1033 (66.7-33.3%) to former Cottonwood Interim Police Chief Chris Dowell. DuVernay is accused of showing what it calls a pornographic video at a council meeting in August. It appears the video was of a drag show. DuVernay, a conservative member of the council, was pushing for a ban on drag shows where minors are present.

The Council managed to delay the recall by failing to get a quorum. The recall was moved from the July primary. Petitioners needed 361 signatures. 

A second recall against Councilmember Derek Paosaari over accusations of sexual harassment failed to submit signatures. 

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Arkansas: Parkin mayor ousted in recall vote

Parkin Mayor Diane Patterson appears to have been ousted in a recall vote, 191-180. The recall seems to have occured after her sons were arrested for arson. One of her children was assistant chief at the Parkin Fire Department.

Arkansas: Wynne Mayor survives recall vote

Wynne Mayor Jennifer Hobbs appears to have survived the recall vote, 1217-1627.

The issue seems to be complaints about the recovery plan following a tornado. There is also a complaint about a rebuilding a historic park building.

Missouri: Carthage Councilmember ousted in recall vote

Carthage Councilmember Tiffany Cossey was ousted in a recall vote, so far the vote is 730-457. The recall was over a claim that she was creating a hostile work environment, which led the previous council to attempt to pass a censure motion against her. Cossey is also accused of stealing pro-recall signs. Here's an additional story on the fighting in Carthage Government.

Petitioners handed in 545 signatures and got 508 valids. They needed 486. Notably, a second wave pushed them over. 

Monday, November 4, 2024

Idaho: Marsh Valley School Board Member facing Election Day recall vote

Marsh Valley School Board Member Kathy Egan is facing a recall vote on Election Day, November 5. Egan, who is in her second term, is facing the recall over complaints about declining enrollment, poor financial oversight and poor performance of the district, though the focus seems to be discussion to close an elementary school.

Since this is Idaho, I would assume the  ]"queen of the hill" provision, which requires the pro-recall vote to top the amount of votes received in the official's original election, is in effect.

Sunday, November 3, 2024

Idaho: Juliaetta City Councilor facing Election Day recall

A recall election against Juliaetta City Councilor Judi Fuller is on the ballot on November 5. Fuller was appointed to office in January. 

Petitioners claims the recall is about social media posts about a wildfire being close and safety of a bike path.  Fuller claims it is because of questions she asked about inappropriately collecting a $5 donation to pay for local TV channels. The  Association that oversees it is run by the current mayor. 

Oregon: Signatures handed in against Josephine County Commissioner

Petitioners handed in over 7500 signatures against Josephine County Commissioner John West 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.

Saturday, November 2, 2024

Michigan: Warren Mayor recall petition rejected on clarity grounds

Petitions language against Warren Mayor Lori Stone was rejected by the Macomb County Election Commission of clarity issues. The recall is about social media posts by a member of the Historical Commission about Islam. 

Nebraska: Petitions taken out against Kimball Mayor

Petitions have been taken out against Kimball Mayor John Morrison, with a focus on a tax levy, a claimed delay in replacing a council member and other general issues.

Petitioners needs 280 signatures in 30 days. 

California: More updates on Oakland Mayor recall effort

 The Nor Cal Carpenters Union has endorsed the Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao recall over her inclusion of their logo on her material. 

The prime backer of the Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price recalls, Phillip Dreyfuss, has donated $700K to the Price recall and $890K to the Thao one. 

The County Registrar claims that the Price recall costs about $6 million and would be $20 million as a stand alone special election. It's not clear why an additional vote would be another $6 Million, but there it is. 

There was a clash (though not a physical one) between pro and anti recall forces in Downtown Oakland.

And here's a look at the recall, with the owner of Fentons Creamery (a practical landmark ice cream shop/restaurant) discussing his support for the recall. 

Friday, November 1, 2024

California: Salinas City Councilmember facing recall effort

Salinas City Councilmember Andrew Sandoval is facing a recall effort over complaints about bullying and his questions of conflict-of-interest complaints against a former councilmember. Sandoval was elected in 2022. 

Petitioners would need 2275 signatures.