Texas: El Paso School Board members can't face recalls, but law proposed to change that

El Paso Independent School District board trustee is facing threats after a major scandal, but they cannot be recalled because  "they are considered county officials under the Texas constitution and only district judges can choose to remove them."

Two local representatives are working on bills to allow recalls of school board trustees. Two bills allowing the recall were filed in 2001 and 2005, but did not pass.

Georgia: Fayette County Board of Education member facing recall threat

Fayette County Board of Education member Bob Todd is facing a recall threat for criticizing the school superintendent's leadership and allegedly talking about firing the superintendent (which occurred earlier this year, with a $200K termination package). The leader of the recall would like to expand the effort to all school board members, though one of the other members needs to hit the 180 day limit before a recall can be initiated.

Note that Georgia is a judicial recall state, requiring cause:

The recall of an elected official in Georgia is a three-step process, the first of which is to apply for a recall petition, to name a chairperson, cite a reason for the recall efforts and provide the signatures of 100 people who were registered to vote in the preceding election.
Recall efforts in Georgia must fall under at least one of five categories. \
If the application is found sufficient by the elections office, the recall petition can go forward and will require the signatures of 30 percent of the active voters registered and eligible to vote in the preceding election. In Fayette County, that number will require more than 21,000 signatures. Those signatures must be obtained within 45 days of the time the petition was issued. If found sufficient, it will trigger a recall election.

Arizona: Quartzsite's mayor finally reseated

Ed Foster, who was removed in a recall in August 2011, and then won a new term this year, was finally seated as Quartzsite’s mayor. Foster was prevented from serving because he owed a court judgment to the town.

California: A look at the Costa Mesa recall threat

Costa Mesa Councilman Jim Righeimer called the recall a "political stunt." The link article discusses the effort.

UK: Recall law facing further delays

The all-party Commons Political and Constitutional Reform Committee questioned the recall procedure though the Conservative government said it will need more time to develop the plan. However, Sadiq Khan, the opposition Labour's shadow justice secretary, claimed that the statements showed that the recall plan is being tossed out.

Michigan: Petition language for recall of Detroit mayor rejected

The petition language for the recall of Mayor Dave Bing was rejected on a 2-1 vote.

Non-Recall Op-Ed in The Atlantic: Everyone Hates the Moderators—So Let's Just Get Rid of Them

The Atlantic was kind enough to run this article I wrote on changing the debates.

Kansas: Three Baxter City Council members facing recall votes on Nov 6

Three Baxter Springs City Council members, Gary Allen, Ron Costlow and Ed McAfee, will be facing recall votes on November 6. Council members have been in a fight with Mayor Jenifer Bingham. Here's some more details.

Washington: state Supreme Court rules against Quilcene Fire Commissioners facing recalls, election set for Nov. 13

The state Supreme Court shot down the attempt to stop the recall of Quilcene fire commissioners David Ward and Mike Whittaker. The recall is set to occur on November 13.

The two have faced complaints (and the resignation of the fire chief), after they created a chief operating officer job and hired Ward for the position.

Wisconsin: Recalled state Senator Hopper arrested

Former state senator Randy Hopper, who was one of the Republicans to be ousted in last years recall, was arrested on drunken driving, domestic abuse, trespassing and misue of telephone charges.

California: Atwater School Board Trustee kicked out in recall after already resigning

Atwater School Board Trustee Sheila Whitley, who resigned under fire on July 27, was formally kicked out in a recall this week, losing 154-23.


Whitley had voted to fire the School District Superintendent (a decision that was later reversed by the board). Her resignation came to late to cancel the recall. Turnout was 10 percent, and only 16 people came to the box (every one else voted by mail).

Michigan: Troy Mayor recall dividing community

Here.

The reporter notes that: "Recall elections are rare in Michigan." This seems inaccurate, as Michigan had 31 recalls last year.

The most recent officeholder to be recalled was state Rep. Paul Scott, R-Grand Blanc, who was ousted by voters last year.
In 2009, Flint Mayor Don Williamson resigned while facing a recall election.
Oakland County's last recall election, in 2003, targeted then-Pontiac Mayor Willie Payne, who won, according to Joe Rozell, the county's elections director.

Colorado: Trindad School Board recall hits snag

The attempt to recall Trindad School Board President Charlene Bertolino hit a procedural snag, as the petitions do not contain the sentence: ‘each signature on the petition section was placed on the petition section in the presence of the affiant.’ The clerk and recorder's office issued the ruling, not a court.

Petitioners need 1,187 signatures and got 1,429.

Note this avenue of appeal -- The ruling says: “However, please recognize that (state statutes relating to petitions for candidacy and recall) provides for circular affidavits that do not require the specific language that ‘each signature on the petition section was placed on the petition section in the presence of the affiant.’ We recognize this ambiguity in the law, but believe we must reject the filing of the petitions under (state statutes).”

The recall is based on Bertolino's support for school superintendent Dr. Manuel Rodriguez.

California: Lake Elsinore recall leader sentenced

The nominal leader of the failed recall against Lake Elsinore city councilman Thomas Buckley was recently convicted of conspiracy to commit campaign fraud in the recall effort and sentenced to three years probation.

Enelida Caron agreed to testify against Michael Knight (her former employer) who is alleged to have concealed Knight’s role in orchestrating and financing the campaign.

The effort led to a February 2010 election, in which voters decided to keep Buckley in office. He lost his bid for another term in November 2010 in the regular City Council election, however.

Knight pled guilty to misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to commit a crime and falsifying campaign documents and received a 90 day sentence. Knight was facing up to 9 years.

According to Buckley, Knight targeted him for opposing allowing live performances at Knight's Trevi Entertainment.

Washington: Pacific mayor appeals recall ruling

Pacific Mayor Cy Sun has appealed the ruling allowing petition efforts to go forward in his recall. The city may lose its insurance coverage if Sun remains as mayor and, according to the piece, without insurance "the city could face disincorporation.

California: Costa Mesa city council member facing recall threat

Costa Mesa city council member Jim Righeimer is facing a recall threat. Petitioner is ran and lost two unsuccessful council bids in 2008 and 2010. Petitioners would need about 8,900 signatures (15% of registereds).

The issue is Righeimer's support for a traffic mitigation agreement between the city and Newport Banning Ranch LLC, which is attempting to develop a nearly 400-acre parcel in West Newport.

North Dakota: Two Mayville City Council members facing January recall

Two City Council members, Mike Carr and Larry O’Brien, will be facing a recall vote on January 16. Petitioners handed in 104 valid signatures.

The motivation for the recall is their votes to eliminate the position of city public works director -- vote was 4-2 (the other council members did not run for reelection).

New Mexico: Raton City Commissioner petitions fall short

The attempt to recall four Raton City Commissioners has apparently failed, with the clerk knocking off 68 to 76 signatures from each of the four petitions. Petitioners needed 194 signatures per. They had turned in 239 for Mayor Pro Tem Chris Candelario had 239 signatures; Commissioner Neil Segotta had 245, Commissioner Jimmy Fanelli had 230l Commissioner Sandy Mantz had 208.

Canada: Recall law adopted by Jocelyn Township

Jocelyn Township on St. Joseph Island in Ontario recently passed a recall law -- though, with a very high signature requirement. Petitioners need two-thirds of turnout (500 votes in the last election).

The article also discusses the recent decision by Sudbury city councillors to vote down the Mayor;s recall proposal.

California: Rio School District recall fails

The threat to recall three Rio School District board members, President Eleanor Torres and board members Henrietta Macias and Ramon Rodriguez, failed as no signatures were handed in at the deadline. Petitioners would have needed 2,641.

California: San Francisco Sheriff survives Board of Supervisior ouster vote, now facing recall threats

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors have voted to reinstate Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi who faced calls for his ouster (and was suspended by Mayor Ed Lee) over domestic violence charges. The vote was 7-4 to remove, they needed 9 to kick him out.

Now comes the recall, though it will not be easy. They need on the order of 47,000 signatures. The last SF official to face recall was Mayor Dianne Feinstein in 1983

Supervisors Jake McGoldrick and Aaron Peskin faced recall threats in 2007, and former Supervisor Sophie Maxwell in 2003 and 2010, though none got to the ballot.

Nebraska: Grand Island Mayoral recall effort doesn't get the signatures

The recall against Mayor Jay Vavricek failed to get enough signatures. Petitioners (who didn't turn in the signatures) claimed 3,109 signatures, needed 3,286.

UK: Conservative MP backs recall law

Conservative MP Mike Weatherley has signed an early day motion calling for a recall (though probably the same limited recall as proposed by the government).

Nebraska: Franklin County Sheriff and County Attorney recall petitions not handed in

An attempt to recall Franklin County Sheriff Jerry Archer and County Attorney Patrick Duncan failed, with the petitioner not handing in signatures.

Idaho: Ada County Commissioner candidate supports recall

Ada County Commissioner candidate Larry Rincover has announce support for a recall of Commissioner Rick Yzaguirre, though there is no known recall attempt.

Michigan; Petition approved against Cedar Springs mayor

Petition language was approved for the recall of Mayor Charlie Watson on the use of a logo for the Red Flannel Festival.

Michigan: Detroit Mayor facing recall threats from State Rep.

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing is facing a recall threat over shifting the city’s public health department over to a private nonprofit institute.

Democratic State Rep. John Olumba is behind the threat. He has requested an investigation by the Attorney General over the move of $50,000 in city funds into private accounts for a nonprofit Institute for Population Health without approval of the City Council. The money was put back in after the council objected.

California: Greenfield recall victors facing reelection

Here

New Mexico: Raton mayor resigns as signatures turned in

Signatures have been turned in for the Raton City Commission recall, though the Mayor Charles Starkovich has already resigned.

Idaho: Editorial denouncing school board recall

Proponents of the school board recall are the same people who opposed the city council recall earlier this year.

Michigan: Recall signs disappearing in Troy mayor recall

Both sides are complaining.

Washington: New filing for recall of Snohomish County Executive

A new petition has been filed to recall Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon. The first petition failed because petition failed to swear out her allegations under oath. Here's some details on the recall and the original failure.

California: Friends of Dana Point Library recall stopped by judge

An attempt to recall the Friends of the Dana Point Library was stopped with a preliminary injunction. This was after the first attempt to hold a recall was stopped by a TRO. The judge ruled that the petitioners did not properly notify all current members of the organization (they sent notice to a 2010 list). However, the petitioners claim that the board would not provide a current membership list. Since the annual meeting and board election is on December 9, the recall looks like it won't take place.

Michigan: Jackson City Council recall attempt rejected as petitioner doesn't live in city

An attempt to recall four Jackson City Council members was rejected by the elections director due to the petitioners not actually living in the city. Petitioner, the head of the Jackson Area Landlord Association, has complained about a severance package for the former City Manager and a stormwater fee. Mayor Martin Griffin and council members Derek Dobies, Laura Dwyer Schlecte and Daniel Greer were all threatened with the recall.

Washington: Seattle School Board member facing recall threats

Seattle School Board member Sherry Carr is facing potential recall petitions. The issue is Carr's vote to allow schools to become Creative Approach Schools (which appear to be a watered-down version of a charter school).

As with other Washington State recalls, a judge has to approve it, which may be a high hurdle to overcome.

Nebraska: Fine against petitioners in failed Newman Grove recall

Some fallout from the failed recall of Newman Grove mayor Fawn Steiff. One of the petitioners, who was the wife of the previous mayor, was fined $1,000 for making false statements under oaths (that she witnessed the signatures).

New Mexico: Petitions handed in for Five Raton City Commissioners

Very good write up here. Petitions have been handed in against five Raton city commissioners. The reason may have to be thought out a little bit more for campaigning purposes:

 Ward Shrake, who told The Range he is seeking the recall not because of “any one specific thing that any one specific commissioner had done, or not done,” but rather “the slow realization that I couldn’t come up with any specific positive things that any of them had actually done, individually or as a group...”

An interesting factoid here:

While state law specifically includes the recall option in the manager-commissioner form of government under which Raton operates, the law makes no reference to allowing for recall in a mayor-council form of government.

Mayor Charles Starkovich, Mayor Pro Tem Chris Candelario and Commissioners Neil Segotta, Sandy Mantz and Jimmy Fanelli are the targeted officials.

State law sets the required number of registered city voter signatures for a recall petition — in order to bring about a recall election — at the greater of the following: more than 20 percent of the average number of voters who voted in the last four regular municipal elections or more than 20 percent of the number of voters who voted in the last regular municipal election. 

In Raton, the average number of voters who voted in the last four regular municipal elections is 967.3, producing a 20-percent mark of 193.5, giving a rounded number of 194 signatures necessary on the petition against any individual commissioner. A total of 939 voters — 20 percent of which is 187.8 — voted in the last regular municipal election in March.

The recall requires not only a majority of votes, but that the votes equal in favor of the recall equal or top the recalled officials winning total in the last election.

Raton removed three commissioners by recall in 2010.

Wisconsin: Charges of voter fraud against Assembly members estranged wife

Here's a charge that Republican Assemblyman Robin Vos' estranged wife voted in the recall while a resident of Idaho. Kind of doubt this has any legs, but remember that Vos was one of those complaining about widespread election fraud in the Lehman recall win.

Washington: Mount Baker School Board Member recall rejected

A Superior Court Judge tossed out the recall of Mount Baker School Board member Russ Pfeiffer-Hoyt for an alleged improper land transfer. Petitioners couldn't prove malfeasance.

Idaho: Mullan mayor, city councilor facing recall petitions

Mullan Mayor Mike Dunnigan and City Councilor Dan White are facing recall petitions. Petitioners need 77 signatures (20 % of registereds) in 75 days.


The issue is a claim that they mishandle city funds.

California: Schwarzenegger claims that recall took Karl Rove by surprise

Here. Note that Rove's position was a common and expected one. There was little reason to think the recall would get enough signatures until Darrell Issa put up the money to help push it on the ballot.

Kansas: Group starts collecting signatures for sure-to-not-reach-the-ballot Secretary of State recall

A group called Bias Busters of Kansas is starting to collect signatures to recall Secretary of State Kris Kobach. The reason is stated, but Kobach has been a lightening rod for criticism from Democrats, whether it is his immigration policy, his support for voter ID laws, his recent wavering over whether Barack Obama's name could appear on the ballot in Kansas.

Whatever the cause, the chances of a Kobach recall reaching the ballot is as close to zero as you can get. Kansas law has a malfeasance standard, so the petitioners would have to show some violation of the law or incompetence on Kobach part to get the recall on the ballot. Even if that were approved, petitioners would need 40% of turnout from the last election. Turnout in the 2010 election was about 830,000. In this case (if my math and the Kansas Election website is correct), it would be around 330,000 signatures.

Update: The AP claims that they need 83,000 signatures, but this is inaccurate. I just spoke with the Kansas Secretary of State's office and they confirmed what I wrote last night -- The law has a two stage process, with the application itself needing signatures equaling 10% of turnout. That is the 83,000 just for the application (which may very well be rejected by a judge). To get on the ballot, you need the 40% of turnout. That is on the order of 330,000 signatures.

Michigan: Troy mayor's signs look the same as recall proponents

Complaints that the mayor's supporters are using the same exact signs as the recall proponents. They certainly look exceptionally similar.

North Carolina: No recall provision in Wake County stops board of education recall attempt

Wake County Board of Education members were facing recall threats after firing the superintendent. However, recalls aren't allowed:

No counties in the state have recall provisions, and only one school system – Chapel Hill-Carrboro – has a recall provision.
Many cities do, however, including Raleigh, Durham, Carrboro and Chapel Hill.
A recall provision has to be approved by the General Assembly. So McLean pointed out that even if some parents went to Wake County legislators asking for such a provision, it would not be considered until next year.

Washington: Judge delays ruling on Pacific Mayor recall

A judge has delayed a decision on whether a recall of Pacific Mayor Cy Sun can go forward. See here for the details of the recall.

Interesting problem -- insurance carriers have cancelled the city's claiming that they need a more stable and professional environment. Petitioners are hoping that the recall will save the insurance. However, to get it done before the end of the year, they may now need to collect 4000 signatures in four days.

Just as weird, is this:

 "It’s not clear why the mayor didn’t tell his attorney about the charges. Firkins said in court that he learned about the hearing Friday from a third party."

and this:

In addition to the recall campaign and pending insurance cancellation, he was arrested trying to enter the city clerk’s office in July.

Arizona: Yuma city councilman recall abandoned, two others still in the courts

The effort to recall Yuma City Councilman Cody Beeson has been dropped. The petitioner blamed the failure of the recall against two other councilmen, Paul Johnson and Jerry Stuart, as the cause of the abandonment (those recalls failed after the clerk struck down some signatures). That decision is still in the courts.

Colorado: Petition handed in for Trindad School board president recall

Trinidad, which lost both a mayor and a city council member to recalls earlier this year, now has petitions handed in targeting the school board President Charlene Bertolino.

Petitioners say that they have the needed signatures -- they need 1,183 signatures of registered voters.

Washington: Judge to hear arguments in Mount Baker school board recall

A judge is set to hear arguments on whether to allow the recall of Mount Baker School Board member Russ Pfeiffer-Hoyt to go forward. Here's the details.

Michigan: New language submitted in Cedar Springs recall

Here

Taiwan: Discussion of a presidential recall

Here:

A recall motion cannot be brought against a president or vice president who has been in office for less than a year, according to the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act. 

Under the act, a proposal to recall the president or vice president can only be carried in the Legislature if it is proposed by at least one-quarter of the lawmakers and supported by not less than two-thirds. 

The recall motion must then be put to a public referendum and can only be adopted if at least half of the electorate votes in the poll and the proposal gains more than half of the valid ballots.

California: Fontana Mayor backs recall of two school board members

Fontana's mayor Aquanetta Warren has officially backed the recall of two School Board members, Leticia Garcia and Sophia Green. This is no surprise, as the two board members posted these two statements in a prior blog post on the recall.

New Jersey: West New York Commissioner looking to run against ex-ally in mayoral recall

Detailed story on the relationship between West New York Commissioner Count Wiley and his former ally, Mayor Felix Roque. Wiley is planning on running a recall against Roque, who was arrested this past spring. Wiley also plans to run for mayor, and has put $50,000 of his own money into the race.

Wiley helped Roque try to hold a recall against Roque's predecessor, former Mayor Sal Vega. That recall didn't get on the ballot, but Roque beat Vega in the next election.

Nebraska: Editorial calling for recall revisions

This editorial calls for a change in Nebraska law to the malfeasance standard for recalls. Worth looking at for its discussion of two recent failed recall attempts:

In April, nine citizens lead efforts to recall Kimball County Commissioners Larry Engstrom, Larry Brower and Kimball County Clerk Cathy Sibal. Seven of the petitioners were interested in seeing the county pony up big dollars to fund a motor speedway. Two of the persons seeking recall of the commissioners and county clerk had a beef with the county after it decided to end a longtime contract with an ambulance service provider and begin its own efforts to operate the service.

Just this month, a Bushnell resident filed his intent to have Kimball County Attorney Dave Wilson recalled. Wilson, who has served as county attorney for 28 years, hadn’t been doing his job, according to the resident, when he didn’t foreclose on a piece of property that the resident wanted to be developed into a convenience store. The resident had a stake in the development of the property — he said he’d be involved in the project and operate the convenience store.

Iowa: Supreme Court Justice facing retention election

This is more of a continual definitional issue.The Republican State Chairman is pushing to oust Iowa Supreme Court Justice David Wiggins in his upcoming retention election. Three Iowa Supreme Court Justice lost their retention elections in 2010 (the issue for all four was their decision to legalize same sex marriage).

The reason this is noteworthy is that judicial retention elections are frequently referred to as "recalls." This is not a new development. California Supreme Court Chief Justice Rose Bird and Justice Cruz Reynoso and Joseph Grodin were all ousted in retention elections in 1986. However, it is the wrong way to referred to it. Retention elections are mandatory and are a totally different beast that recalls.

Washington: Quilcene/Jefferson County Fire District 2 commissioners recall scheduled for November 13

The recall of two Quilcene/Jefferson County Fire District 2 commissioners, David Ward and Mike Whittaker, will take place on November 13 -- interesting that it is not on election day.

The issue (as decided by the Washington State Supreme Court) was a violation of the Open Public Meetings Act. Petitioners claim that the commissioners manipulated the meeting minutes to make it appear like they voted in a public meeting to enroll in a public pension plan.

Petitioners needed 185 signatures for ward, they turned in 240, and had 220 found valid. For Whittaker it was 199 needed, 215 handed in, and 201 verified.

Cartmel said 240 signatures were examined for Ward. Of those, 220 were valid registered voters – only 185 valid signatures were needed for the recall.

Wisconsin: La Crosse Common Council President facing petitions

La Crosse Common Council President Audrey Kaderis facing petitions. Petitioners need 158 signatures in 60 days.

Not clear what the issues are, except the push for a city administrator to take over roles of the elected mayor.

Michigan: Cedar Springs Mayor facing recall over licensing fee question

Cedar Springs Mayor Charlie Watson is facing recall petitions, with the language for the petition being voted on.
Petitioners need 170 signatures (25% of votes for governor)
The issue is a bit different than most: The Red Flannel Festival has a trademark on their logo. The festival requested the City pay a $4000 licensing fee, but the City refused, claiming they used the logos for identification for 70-plus years. The Red Flannel Festival claimed trademark infringement. The city council voted 6-1 to stop using the logo. Watson voted to stop using the logo, and is being targeted (though the other five officials aren't).

Michigan: Belding school board recall won't be on Nov ballot

The recall attempt against two Belding school board members will not be on the November ballot, though it can still make it for February or May of next year.

Petitioners had to hand in 678 signatures for each candidate. Deadline was August 3rd to get on. Petitioners have up till Nov. 21st to get a recall on the ballot.

The issue was privatizing the janitorial staff. The superintendent claimed that the privatization would save $802K over 3 years, though 10 janitors lost their jobs.

Louisiana: Recall of Governor Jindal and House Speaker fails

Surprising no one, the attempt to recall Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and House Speaker Chuck Kleckley failed, with the petitioners not getting enough signatures to hand in the petitions. There are two other state legislative petitions still out there, but I wouldn't expect any better result.

Oregon: Three of Four Lookingglass fire board members ousted in recall vote

Three of four Lookingglass Rural Fire Board members who faced a recall election lost their seats.

Dave Meador survived 314 to 250.

Jeanie Smith (328-238), Stuart Kramer(329-235)  and the board’s chairman, Dennis Sifford(327-239) were all kicked out, after a battle over a proposal to disband and immediately reform with a higher tax rate. Robert Kyle, a fifth member of the board, quit after the recall effort started.

As the article notes, and we've seen on the blog, fire district boards have been incredibly popular targets this year:

Voters removed three Winston-Dillard Fire District board members in an election. Three members of the Fair Oaks Fire District board resigned rather than go through an election.

Texas: Sinton city council recall goes to the courts

Sinton is joining a host of other cities throughout the country in failing to put a recall on the ballot, necessitating judicial intervention. Petitions were handed in to recall three Sinton city council members Eloy Lopez, Linda Guzman-Alaniz and Michelle Soliz. According to the council members, the petitions didn't state a reason, though the petitioner says that the petitions were specific (members weren't following their oaths).

The actual basis of the recall appears to be the decision to fire City Manager Jackie Knox, displaying unfamiliarity with the city charter and hiring the City Attorney.

Wisconsin: Elmwood Park President ousted in recall

Elmwood Park President Audrey Viau has been ousted in a recall. Former Village Trustee Tom Mills claims that he received 134 votes to 79 for Viau.

The issue was a plan to build a Walmart.

California: Threat to recall San Bernardino councilman not a crime

A threat to recall Councilman Chas Kelley unless he put a city charter repeal on the November ballot has been found not to illegal (they were looking at it as a bribery or extortion charge).The threat was made at a city council meeting.  I'm amazed that this was even investigated (though it may not be up to the D.A. whether to look into this).


Here's what the councilman said:

"I would say that it's extortion or bribery," Kelley said. "`If you do this, this won't happen.' That's wrong, and elected officials should not be intimidated or coerced, blackmailed into making a decision one way or another."

The Petitioner is still looking to recall Kelley, Councilman John Valdivia and Councilwoman Wendy McCammack.

Louisiana: Rapides Parish School Board recall not on November ballot, continuing to collect signatures

The recall effort against Rapides Parish School Board member Julie McConathy will not get on the November ballot, but will continue, as they seek some 4,000 signatures. The recall was started due to the decision to not renew the Superintendent's contract.

California: Willows' ouster of police chief leads to recall discussion

Willows City Council's decision to get rid of Police Chief Bill Spears has started discussion of a recall. 

California: Yorba Linda Councilman recall attempt fails to get signatures

The recall attempt against Yorba Linda Councilman John Anderson failed, with petitioners handing in 7,856 signatures -- they needed 8.668 (20% of registereds).

The issue was Anderson's vote to have the Orange County Sheriff's Department replace the Brea Police Department as the agency that patrols Yorba Linda.

Wisconsin: Recalls costs GAB $13.5 million

The GAB announced that the May and June recalls costs $13.5 million.

California: Dana Point Library recall temporarily suspended

The Dana Point Library recall has been suspended with a TRO.

New Mexico: Cost of cancelled Ruidoso Municipal School District Board recalls

The cancelled two Ruidoso Municipal School District Board members recalls will cost $3,800 in ballots and suplies, $1,131.36 in legal notice charges, and over $11,000 in fees, not including August and September.

California: Alameda City Councilman facing petitions, though assembly race may moot the race

Alameda City Council member and Vice Mayor Rob Bonta is facing recall petitions, though it may all be moot if he wins an Assembly seat in November.

Bonta finished as the first in the June primary for the assembly seat (36%). California is a top-two state, so Bonta moves on to face the second place candidate in November.

Petitioners need 8,374 signatures (20 percent of the city's registered voters) to get Bonta's recall on the ballot. They are continuing to collect signatures in case Bonta loses the assembly race.

Bonta voted to approve zoning rules that would allow new multi-family housing to be built in Alameda,

Florida: Port St. Lucie mayoral recall fails to get the signatures

The recall attempt against Mayor JoAnn Faiella failed, with petitioners getting about 3,500 signatures, well short of the 4,951 needed.

Texas: AG rules that signature petitions in Sinton recall must be made public, though allows addresses to be withheld

Texas' Attorney General's Office has ruled that the petitions for the recall of three Sinton City Council members must be made public. The three council members and city attorney were questioning the validity of the signatures, but rather than show the signatures, the City Secretary punted to the Attorney General.

The Assistant Attorney General said that the addresses can be withheld, though that seems to be a strange ruling, as one of the complaints is that some of the petitioners were non-residents.

There is also a complaint that one of the petition leaders is a a niece of the city manager, whose firing led to the recall effort. This fact is disputed, and I'm not sure why it would matter.

Update: Richard Winger from the invaluable Ballot Access News has added an explanatory comment below.

Alaska: Holy Cross City Council recall effort charged with misdemeanor assault

One of the officials from the controversial failed Holy Cross City Council recall has been charge with misdemeanor assault.

California Dana Point Library Board contests recall in court

The Dana Point Library board of directors are suing to have the upcoming recall on Sunday declared illegal.

The complaint focuses on an alleged failure to give proper notice of Sunday's special meeting to all eligible voting members of the Friends of the Library. They are also claiming that the petition doesn't meet the signature requirement.

Maine: Petitions handed in against Three Limestone Selectmen

Three Limestone Board of Selectmen members, Tom Devoe, Gary O’Neal and Jesse Philbrick, are potentially facing recalls, as petitioners have handed in 186 signatures calling for a recall election. The petitioners were handed in as two other selectmen and the Parks & Recreation Director all resigned.

The three selectmen all voted to end the town’s contract with Fort Fairfield for shared services of Fire Chief Paul Durepo, which was reversed days later. The selectmen also unanimously voted to not re-appoint Limestone’s Police Chief Stacey Mahan, which was also reversed.

The recall was adopted in Limestone in 2010. Looks like the Selectmen may not be racing to put this one on the ballot.

Texas: Sinton City Manager fired as recall scheduled for May

This one is coming to a head. The City Manager was fired. The attacks on the City Manager were what prompted the recall attempts against three council members in the first place.

Tennessee: Chattanooga mayor recall knocked down by appellate court

An Appellate Court has upheld a lower court ruling preventing the recall of Mayor Ron Littlefield. The decision (which I haven't seen), holds that the statute was valid, but the petitioners fell short of the signature requirement. The problem with the recall was a discrepancy between state law (which had a 15% of registered voters requirement) and the City Charter (Which had 50% of turnout -- a lower figure). Petitioners claim they were given an incorrect figure for the number of signatures needed.

California: Judge considers halting KPFA recall

Here

Michigan: Petition for Attorney General recall still stalled

The petition has still not won approval from three member panel, who claim a lack of clarity. Issue there is medical marijuana.

Canada: Sudsbury's Mayor's push for recall law shot down by councillors

Mayor Marianne Matichuk attempt to get the city councillors to petition the province to support a recall law was shot down 12-1.

Texas: El Paso City Rep. facing recall threats from ex-mayor

El Paso city Rep. Cortney Niland is facing a recall threat from former city mayor Ray Salazar (who served in 1977-79). Petitioners need 385 signatures (20 percent of turnout) in 60 days. The earliest it could get on the ballot is May 2013.

The issue appear to be the decision to build a $50 million Triple-A stadium (which would entail the demolition of City Hall and the science museum).

Massachusetts: New challenger in Bridgewater recall

Mike Demos has a new challenger in his recall race. Board of Health member Sandra Wright, who also serves as a Plymouth County Commissioner, is running for the seat, while the Republican Town Committee Chairman Eric Marchetti backed out.

New Mexico: Supreme Court cancels Ruidoso school board recall

New Mexico's Supreme Court voted 3-2 to cancel the recall of two Ruidoso school board members, Devin Marshall and Curt Temple. So far, I haven't seen a decision, but I'll be looking out for one. The issue was the board's vote to put Superintendent Bea Harris on leave.

Update: The vote was based around the question of whether Marshall and Temple violated the board's open meeting law. The decision was announced after an hour long hearing, and 15 minute deliberation -- no word on whether there is a written ruling coming down.

The pro-recall group argued that the targeted board members used what they called rolling quorums to gain a majority vote against Harris.

Note that:

Justice Charles Daniels seemed sympathetic with recall advocates in his questioning of the lawyers.He asked whether board members who did not comply with public notices about a matter of public importance had opened themselves up to the recall, based on their conduct in office.Daniels also spoke against the court stopping a recall election that the people had petitioned for."You don't think that people in a representative democracy should make that decision at the ballot box?" Daniels said to Kennedy.

Washington: Two Quilcene -- Jefferson County Fire District Commissioners facing recalls, though questions remains over petition technicalities

Petitioners claim to have handed in enough signatures to recall two Quilcene Jefferson County Fire District No. 2 Commissioners, Dave Ward and Mike Whittaker, but the country auditor is claiming that the petitions have to have the lines numbered.

Petitioners needed 194 signatures to recall Whittaker and 179 to recall Ward, and they got 242 and 244. The issue was the creation of a chief operating officer job for the fire district, which Ward was hired for. The reason the recall was allowed was a charge of falsifying meeting minutes.

Texas: Petitions handed in for three Sinton City Council members

Three Sinton City Council members are facing recall threats as they continue to attempt to fire the city manager. Petitioners have already handed in signatures and are waiting for validation.

The council members, Linda Guzman Alaniz, Michelle Soliz and Eloy Lopez, have complained that the Manager Jackie Knox (who has been there for 15 years) "created an atmosphere of distrust and wasn't communicating effectively with them."

The recall petitioners claim that the three council members are "displaying unfamiliarity with the city charter, not providing satisfactory reasons for wanting to fire Knox, conducting city business outside public meetings, and hiring City Attorney Juan Perales against the wishes of citizens." The members also tried to push forward a controversial wind turbine project at Sinton High School that was ultimately cancelled.

New Jersey: Trenton Mayor arrested on corruption charges

Trenton's Mayor, who was the subject of a failed recall campaign earlier this year (petitioners couldn't get the signatures), has been arrested on corruption charges.

Washington: Mount Baker School Board member facing recall petitions

Mount Baker School Board member Russ Pfeiffer-Hoyt is facing a recall petition, over a proposed land transfer.

Washington requires a showing of malfeasance. The petitioners claim that the board's accepted a $500,000 donation (for a foundation for the students) from the Whatcom Land Trust on condition that the board did not oppose the transfer of 8,844 acres in the Lake Whatcom watershed from the Department of Natural Resources to Whatcom County.

The recall organizer wanted to take out all five board members, but focused on Pfeiffer-Hoyt because he was allegedly on the advisory board of the Whatcom Land Trust in 2003-04, and is currently a member of the trust.

Petitioners would need 1,133 signatures (35% of turnout). The election would have to take place in February and is estimated to cost $20K.

California: San Francisco Sheriff facing Misconduct hearing, claims recall is the right way to go

Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi, who faced relentless criticism and calls for his ouster after a domestic violence charge, is trying to avoid being tossed out by the Board of Supervisors. Mirkarimi has gained some supporters, including the "San Francisco League of Pissed-Off Voters." Nine of 11 supervisors have to approve for Mirkarimi to be kicked out. 

Note this comment (a reversal from what we normally hear):

Mirkarimi knows supervisors are in a tough political predicament, but he argues that the proper way to remove an elected official is through a recall election.

Florida: Editorial on Port St. Lucie Mayoral recall

Port St. Lucie Mayor JoAnn Faiella is facing a recall and this editorial strangely fails to come to a position on it.

Idaho: Montpelier mayor facing recall petitions over budget issues

Montpelier Mayor Reed Peterson is facing a recall campaign against him, despite the fact that he's up for re-election next year. The issue appears to be budget, which was $2.1 million. The petitioner claims that it has grown 7 times since 2006, when the mayor was first elected, though the petitioner was uncertain what the budget was in 06 (the mayor disputes this). There was also an employee raise issue cropping up (mayor broke a tie to give employees a 3% raise instead of 1%).
Petitioner has to get 250 signatures (20% of registereds).

Michigan: Attorney General facing another recall attempt from medical marijuana advocates

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is facing another recall attempt from medical marijuana advocates (they're previous attempt failed to garner enough signatures). Petitioners would need about 807,000 signatures to get on the ballot.

Idaho: Middleton Mayor facing recall threats

Middleton Mayor Darin Taylor is facing recall threats, with potential petitioners releasing a 100-page report which they claim that solicited city services before he came into office (consulted with professionals who he later hired) and replacing employees with friends.

 Petitioners need 519 signatures. Middleton’s most recent ex-mayors, Vicki Thurber and Frank McKeever support the recall drive.

Massachusetts: Two challengers in the Bridgewater recalls, including one rerun

The Bridgewater recalls have finally gotten two challengers. Republican Town Committee Chairman Eric Marchetti is looking to run against Councilor Mike Demos, and former town administrator and selectment Paul Sullivan is running against Councilor Peter Riordan. The Sullivan v. Riordan race is a rematch of 2010, which Riordan won by five votes.

California: Dana Point library board facing possible recalls, though unclear if it is legal; membership issues and catering of annual luncheon critical divisive issue

The board of directors of the Dana Point Library are facing a recall election on September 16 -- though it is unclear if the recall is even legal. The board members are accused of forcing the resignations and denying membership to people who work in the library bookstore. The problem seems to have erupted over both purchasing liability insurance and, more importantly, who should cater the annual luncheon. 

Petitioners got 60_ signatures (22% of membership), though since some of the signers had their membership revoked, the board claims the election is illegal.

Missouri: Ellsville Council member files suit to toss out recall

Ellsville Council member Matt Pirrello filed suit to toss out a recall against himself and four other council members. He is also seeking a temporary restraining order prohibiting the circulation of the petition.

Michigan: Troy Mayor recall proponents raises $5,000

With Janice Daniels facing an upcoming recall from her $175 a month part-time position, supporters of her ouster raised $5K at a fundraiser and in on-line donations. 20% was from non-city residents. A former mayor, current state Rep candidate (and Daniels supporter) claims that the race is split  40-40 with 20% undecided.

Ohio: Hillsboro mayor facing recall threats

Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings is facing threats of a recall based on a plan to get rid of the fire department and subcontract it out to another jurisdiction.

California: Procedures for attempt to recall three Coastside Fire Protection District Board members

The attempt to recall 3 Coastside Fire Protection District Board members, board President Doug Mackintosh and Directors Mike Alifano and Gary Riddell, is apparently the first one that anyone can remember. This article is an excellent listing of the procedures needed to put a recall on the ballot.

Petitioners have put together a website (which need some more content) keepcalfirelocal.com.

Florida: Appellate Court tosses out Haines City Recall

A Florida Appellate Court upheld (without a written opinion) the circuit court ruling tossing out the Haines City recall against two commissioners. The court ruling was focused on the "malfeasance standard."

Colorado: One Ellicott School Board Member resigns in face of recall; other recall ruled invalid

One of the two Ellicott School District 22 board members facing a recall resigned, while the other was struck down by the County Clerk. Board Vice President MaryAnna Clemons resigned in the face of the recall.

The recall of Board President Ernest Hudson failed because the county clerk ruled that petitioners failed to gather enough signatures. Petitioners needed 369 signatures -- they turned in 483, but ended up with 362 ruled valid (one petitioner verified signatures that were gathered by her sister-in-law). Clemons' petition was found to have 386 valid.

The recall would have cost $2,765.

Note this:

It is the third time in three years that community members have attempted a recall of school board members. Three incumbents were voted off the Ellicott board in November, two by recall. Hudson and Clemons, who won election in November, have been under fire by those who supported the losing regime.