Louisiana: Fracking fight leads to attempt to recall President, 14 members of St. Tammany Parish's council

Another recall attempt in St. Tammany Parish's, this time against President Pat Brister and all 14 members of the Parish Council. If it went off, it would likely be the biggest single mass recall election in US history (hint, it won't happen). The issue is the Council's failure to fight a proposed fracking operation.

The original; filing of petitions were rejected because both the chair and vice-chair must be registered voters in the council district.  The same people chair/vice-chair signed all of the petitions (and they live in different districts), so none of the petitions are valid.

For Brister, they would need over 53,000 signatures (33 1/3 of registereds).

Michigan: Second attempt for recall in Warren shot down on clarity/factual reasons

The second attempt to recall Warren Mayor James Fouts and Clerk Paul Wojno was rejected over clarity and factualness. The claim against Fouts is over the settlement of a whistleblower lawsuit (arguing that Fouts threatened former city workers). Wojno was threatened over a dispute as to who is responsible for the removal of deceased registered voters.

California: Pleasant Hill City Clerk resigns rather than face recall

Pleasant Hill City Clerk Kim Lehmkuhl, who could not produce the City Council minutes for her first year in office, resigned in the face of a recall.

She apparently sent a "fiery" email, as you can see below in her resignation. resigned from her post as city clerk with a scathing email on Monday after facing ridicule in recent months for failing to produce a single set of City Council meeting minutes during her first year in office.

In the email sent to Mayor Tim Flaherty and City Manager June Catalano, Lehmkuhl described her time working for the city as an "atrocious, incredibly depressing, and mind-numbingly inane experience I would not wish on anyone." "I wish the City the best of luck in finding some schmuck eager to transcribe every last misogynistic joke, self-indulgent anecdote, and pathetic pandering attempt by Council, and every tinfoil hat conspiracy theory, racist aside, and NIMBY asshattery from the lovely council meeting frequent flyers, without which, surely our democracy could not flourish," she wrote.

Arizona: Two Sunnyside School board members ousted

Two Sunnyside school board members, Bobby Garcia and Louie Gonzales, lost their recall races on Tuesday. The two were supporters of the Superintedent. Rebecca "Beki" Quintero beat Garcia 58%-22% (19% to a third party)."

Eric Giffin beat Gonzales about 75%-25%. Garcia was in his first term, Gonzales was on for 16 years.  Turnout for the recall election was 15 percent — 4,076 ballots cast — of the 26,646 eligible voters in the district.

Arizona: Benson City Councilman survives recall

Benson City Councilman Jeff Cook survived his recall vote 793-386 (63.8%). Turnout was 28.9%.

Oregon: Recalls set for five Gardiner Sanitary District on June 17

All five Gardiner Sanitary District board members, Jackie Degman, Dennis Conger, Marc Fullhart, Cathy Kent and Charlotte Hinshaw, will face recalls on June 17. Petitioners only needed 17 signatures to get on the ballot.

The issue is complaints over contracts and negotations with Reedsport on wastewater treatment.

Nebraska: Grand Island elects new mayor

The recall attempt against Mayor Jay Vavricek over the removal of the city administrator failed, but that didn't help Vavricek's reelection race -- he got only 16% of the vote in a three person race.

Pennsylvania: Chalfont looking to vote on recall law

Here

Michigan: Onerous ballot access rules trip up Representative Conyers

Here's a look at how those rules work to protect those in power (though obviously it worked against Conyers).

Colorado: House more bipartisan since recall

Though the numbers are 96% to 94% of bills passed with bipartisan support, so possibly not that much to say.

New Jersey: Request for extension in signature collection in Vineland mayor recall

Petitioners have asked for two more months to collect signatures for the recall of Vineland Mayor Ruben Bermudez. They need at least 9,447 valids.

Colorado: Bridger Canyon Fire District one vote lost upheld

The chairman lost 195-194. The recount upheld the total.

Massachusetts: Lancaster recall approved by Senate

The state Senate unanimously voted to allow Lancaster to hold recalls of Selectmen Jean Syria and Susan Smiley. The recall was over their votes against renewing the Town Administrator's contract. Lancaster does not have a bylaw for recalls, so they had to have a town meeting (on March 10) petitioning the legislature for special legislation.

Petitioners need 472 signatures (10% of registereds).

California: Alisal School Board recall set for September 9

The recall of Alisal Union School District Board of Trustees Meredith Ibarra was scheduled for September 9 in a wild meeting that saw Ibarra and some supporters kicked out.

Montana: Four Dillon city council members facing petitions, though city attorney rejects grounds for recall

Four Dillon city council members, Derek Gore, Nils “Swede” Troedsson, David Spehar and Lynn Westad, are facing petitions as part of a long-running fight over a lawsuit about a refusal to pay for water meters installed by the city.

The fight includes Mayor Michael Klakken in a big way -- he represents one of the homeowners in the suit, and he got rid of the city attorney and city treasurer (the second with reduced hours, who then quit).

The city attorney has said that the recall shouldn't be allowed -- petitioners are claiming that the council members violated open meeting laws by signing a letter to a district court judge on the case (Montana is a Judicial Recall/malfeasance standard state, hence cause is needed). Petitioners claim they will fight the ruling.

Non-recall op-ed in City and State on the NY Lieutenant Governor position

I wrote this in today's City and State. I have previously written a paper on the benefits of split ticket Lieutenant Governor elections (as oppose to same ticket elections).

Arizona: Recall organizers demand oversight/transparency of school board recall

Here

California: Sunnyvale councilman facing petitions after refusing to sign code of conduct

Councilmember Patrick Meyering is facing recall petitions led by (among others) a former mayor and vice mayor. In an op-ed, petitioners claim that Meyering "declares that everyone else is corrupt." He also apparently refused to sign the Code of Conduct and Ethics; his behavior may have pushed out the City Manager and City Attorney;  He also has been directed to stop disclosing confidential information, and had filed a since dismissed personal-injury lawsuit against the city. Petitioners need 8284 signatures (15% of registereds).

The op-ed claims this is the first recall in Sunnyvale history. It does have a questionable fact that most single-issue recalls fail. If they are talking about recalls failing to make the ballot due to lack of signatures, they are correct. If they are claiming that once they get to the ballot officials are more likely to survive the single-issue recall, well that's incorrect.

Pennsylvania: Parents threaten recall by judge of Stroudsburg school board members with

Parents are petitioning for the removal of Stroudsburg School Board President Richard Pierce and Vice President Bruce Stewart. Petitioners believe they have 250 signatures for each, though it looks like most of those are of the online variety. The issue is how they dealt with the superintendent.  Pennsylvania does not have a recall law, but it does have a law that allows voters to petition a judge to remove school board members (the judge would appoint a replacement).

"However, there is a procedure in the school code whereby a certain number of residents can file a petition with the court seeking the removal of a school board member, or certain members of the school board who have willfully neglected their duties," said Stuart Knade, an attorney for the PSBA.

Sounds like they would need 900 signatures (20% of turnout) -- though I would guess the online petitions likely would not count.

Louisiana: St. Bernard Parish President facing recall petitions

St. Bernard Parish President Dave Peralta is facing another recall campaign, filed by a (barely) losing candidate for the council (Peter Rupp, who lost a runoff in 2011 by 16 votes). Petitioners will need about 8500 signatures (1/3 of registereds) in six months.

Rupp previously launched a recall against Peralta in 2012, but that didn't get on the ballot. Peralta was indicted last month on charges of sexual battery against his wife.

Peralta claims that Rupp is leading the effort after Peralta fired Rupp's wife as a legal secretary for the Parish (she gave Rupp her access code to enter the building).

Though the Parish hasn't had a recall since at least 1966, the previous parish president, Craig Taffaro, also faced a recall effort.

California: Alisal School Board recall on the ballot

The recall against Alisal school board Trustee Meredith Ibarra has been certified for the ballot -- petitioners handed in 650 signatures, and needed 455. Ibarra, in her second term, is the last board member who was alligned with a separatist movement (the May 1 Alliance). Ibarra has been accused of unrelenting questions and criticisms of the board president and the Superintendent.

Tennessee: Fight continues in Chattanooga City Council recall

There's still some wrangling following the failure of the recall of City Councilman Chris Anderson. The petition failure rate was 60%, so that's certainly something to look at.

Idaho: Haily Mayor, City Council members facing petitions

Hailey Mayor Fritz Haemmerle and city council members Carol Brown and Martha Burke are facing petitions after they appealed a federal court ruling that stopped the city from collecting $2.5 million in fees from a company and struck down a requirement that the company (Old Cutters) build 20 affordable housing units. Petitioners would need 748 signatures (20% of registereds).

 Petitioners would also need more votes against the officials than they received in the last election.  Check the article out -- there's an interesting discussion of the lawsuit. 

Michigan: Two Onaway City Councilors Survive recall vote

Onaway City Council members Bernie Schmeltzer and Ron Horrocks survived Tuesday's recall vote. 168 votes were cast -- Horrocks won by 18 votes, and Schmeltzer beat two challengers 85-59-23. The issue was eliminating the police department (of one) and hiring the county Sheriff's department. Both of these two will face reelection in November, as will Mayor Gary Wregglesworth, who beat back a recall in November 2013.

Michigan: Petitions filed against 4 Lincoln Consolidated School Board Members

Petitions have been filed against four (of seven) Lincoln Consolidated Schools board members, President Kimberly Samuelson, Vice President Yoline Williams and two trustees: David McMahon and Connie Newlon. The school district apparently spent down its primary spending account, resulting in a state-mandated deficit elimination plan. 

Oregon: Five members of Gardiner Sanitary District to face recall vote

12 signatures were handed in and verified in the recall of the Gardiner Sanitary District members Dennis Conger, Catherine Kent, Charlotte Hinshaw, Jackie Deggman and Marc Fullhart. The recall was launched by a local business owner over negotiations with a city and questions of transparency in contracts.

Montana: Bridger Canyon Fire District will recount in one vote recall loss

This is for the 195-194 loss by Chairman Mike Conn. The other four members of the Fire District board survived their votes.

Montana: Bridger Canyon Fire Board Chair loses recall by one vote, other four members survive

Bridger Canyon Fire Board Chairman Mike Conn lost his recall race by one vote (195-194), though he can ask for a recount. He will be replaced by Jane Lerner. The other four trustees all survived the vote, Colleen Carnine (189-198), Margaret Foster (165-205), Dennis Guentzel (149- 219) and Dave McKee (169-216).
The recall seems to have begun after the trustees considered a plan to allow alcohol in the community room. The chief and at least 18 firefighters quit.

California: Rialto school board has bizarre Holocaust-denying essay assignment

Here is the story of the assignment that was lifted from a Holocaust denying website, essentially asking students to argue for whether they believe the Shoah happened.

Perhaps it will not surprise readers of this blog that even before this disaster, members of the Rialto School Board were already facing recall petitions. I haven't seen anything to suggest a link between the recall and this assignment. The recall involved approval of contracts and a battle over the Superintendent (a frequent source of school board recalls).

The superintendent, who has since retired, had what is called a "personal relationship" with a district accountant who was accused of stealing $1.8 million in lunch money over 8 years, some of which she apparently smuggled out in her bra.

Looks like this will be a very tough road -- the law requires 10% of the signatures of registered voters in the district, which will be someone where in the neighborhood of 10,000 signatures each. Note that the actual vote for the two candidates (in a presidential election at that) was below 10,000. Astute readers of this blog may remember that petitioners could not get enough signatures for a recall against a Moreno Valley School Board member who was facing charges of attempted murder, rape, pimping and pandering (he's now doing 14 years).

Wisconsin: Judge grants preliminary injunction halting John Doe investigation

The latest turn in the John Doe investigation. The Judge has order the investigation ended and all of the investigation paperwork returned.

Michigan: New Buffalo kicks out two

New Buffalo Mayor Margaret "Migs" Murray and Mayor Pro Tem Ray Lawson were both ousted in Tuesday's recall.

Murray lost 341-146-14 to Donna Messinger (Si Osiri served as a third party candidate). Lawson lost 348-148 to George Scarlatis. The issue had to do with appointing new members and whether a new councilman should be able to vote for the new appointment.

Arizona: Benson City Council recall on May 20

Benson City Councilman Jeff Cook is facing a recall vote on May 20 after less than a year in office. Carol Campbell is the opposing candidate. Check the article out for some details on the recall.

Michigan: Four ousted in New Haven recall

New Haven Village Council President Jammie Kincaid and trustees Jaremy Davis, Jennifer Podgurski and Daniel Stier all were kicked out of off in a recall held today. Kincaid lost to the current treaurer Selena Passeno (67.5% to 32.5%)  The other three were beaten by Kevin Chandler, Ann Pridemore and Daniel VanDeKerkhove.

All the officials were up for reelection in November.

The recall was over allegations of corruption, especially after the council "gave Kincaid approval to negotiate a deal to put a landfill at the northern edge of town, near the massive Pine Tree Acres landfill in neighboring Lenox Township."

Pridemore, who initiated the recall, beat Davis by a 64.4 percent to 35.6 percent margin, while VanDeKerkhove won out over Stier 62.6 percent to 37.4 percent and Chandler easily defeated Podgurski by 70 percent to 30 percent.

Idaho: Eagle City Council President facing petitions

Eagle City Council President Mary McFarland is facing petitions, seemingly over a decision to purchase park land and the use of eminent domain to acquire easements. McFarland won office in 2011. Petitioners need 2,459 signatures in 75 days  to get the recall on the ballot.

A little quirck in the law -- to remove McFarland, the votes in favor of a recall must "equal or exceed" the number of votes cast for McFarland in her last election (1187). This total must also be an absolute majority of votes cast in the election, so no plurality defeat.

California: Lemoore mayoral recall fails

The attempt to recall Lemoore Mayor Billy Siegel failed, with the petitioner claiming that they missed the signatures by 100 (though he also claimed some of the signers were invalid). Petitioners needed 2,300 valid signatures.

The recall appears to be prompted by the sale of a gold course, the elimination of the city's planning department and an email that has turned into a lawsuit.

Alaska: Recall Target Rep. Linsdey Holmes not running for reeelection

Holmes, whose decision to party jump from D to R right after her election led to a recall attempt, has declared that she won't run for reelection. The recall attempt was rejected by the Division of Elections (Alaska is a Judicial Recall/Malfeasance Standard state, and the Elections Division held that party jumping didn't met the standard for a recall). A Superior Court judge just upheld the Elections Division's ruling.

Michigan: Preliminary injunction halts Benton Harbor mayoral recall

A preliminary injunction has stopped next week's recall against Mayor James Hightower over allegations that dates were changed on signatures. Criminal charges have been filed against two of the petitioners.

This actually leads to a big problem for recall proponents -- due to Michigan law, injunction probably pushes the date of the recall into November.

Michigan: Fifth New Haven Village official facing petitions

Another New Haven Village Council member, Brett Harris, is facing petitions over a vote for a landfill (the idea has since failed). Four officials are facing a recall on May 6. Due to Harris' term, he can't face a recall until November.

Tennessee: Petitioners hand in signatures in Chattanooga city council recall

The recall of City Councilman Chris Anderson over a domestic partnership law is now at the critical stage. Petitioners have 793 valid signatures in the first 1526 checked --- a very poor response rate. They need 1600 valids to move forward. There have been claims that children were gathering signatures. There's still a possible court decision if the recall gets enough signatures.

Wisconsin: Candidate for Republican Assembly signed Walker recall petition

Sounds like this won't be a very successful primary campaign.

California: San Bernardino city council looks to pass new recall law

The law would wisely synch up with the state law -- the city faced lawsuits in the recalls last year.

Montana: Impact of a recall -- the Mission Irrigation District

Following its recall of two commissioners, Mission Irrigation District has taken quick action to change policies, including firing the law firm that advised the old board and stopping payment on checks.

Colorado: Essay on John Morse wins JFK Profile in Courage Award

Here

Michigan: Benton Harbor mayoral recall decision put off till Thursday

Here

Maine: Westbrook considers recall after issues against school board member

Westbrook is considering a recall ordinance, though of course there is some additional issues. The recall possibilities come from threats against a school board member:

whose son was one of several members of the football team suspended, made calls to administration to discuss his discipline, and had “the appearance of special treatment” because Principal Jon Ross asked Superintendent Marc Gousse to be nearby during his appeal hearing. The suspensions of all the athletes involved in a weekend party where alcohol was served were subsequently lifted.

California: Maywood recall fight leads to battle over petition law

Maywood City Council passed an ordinance laying out the rules for recall elections, which they claim petitioners are violating. The law was passed with the votes of Mayor Oscar Magaña and Councilwoman Veronica Guardado who are both facing petitions.

Lots of drama here, as the City Clerk approved the petitions, and the Councilwoman is claiming that he is facing a conflict (due to his support of a petitioner in last year's recall race).

Michigan: Two charged with fraud in Benton Harbor recall petitioning

Two people have been charged with electoral fraud in the Benton Harbor mayor recall (to be held on May 6). The two are accused of changing dates on petitions and allowing someone to sign more than once.

California: Commerce mayor facing campaign finance charges

Commerce Mayor Tina Baca Del Rio is facing campaign finance charges once again during her recall race. Baca Del Rio was removed from the city council in November 2008, won office in March 2009, and is now facing another recall. 

Colorado: Woodmen Hills recalls pushing forward

Woodmen Hills Metropolitan District treasurer Janice Pizzi and director Bryan Mendiola are facing recalls over the firing of six employees (and the cutting of hours for others) following the resignation of the parks and recreation director. Petitioners need 300 signatures by June 8.

Montana: Mission Irrigation Commissioners removed

Mission Irrigation Commissioners Jerry Johnson and M. Paul Wadsworth were removed in an April 15 vote, Johnson lost 5479-4807, and Wadsworth 5676-4584. The votes are by parcel (each acre is worth one vote).

Colorado: House passes recall changes

The vote was party-line, 37-28. It updates recall rules to conform to the recent election law changes. 

Michigan: Jerome Township clerk latest official to face petitions

Jerome Township  Clerk Connie Methner, the only Democrat on the board, is the latest official to face recall petitions, this time over not publishing board meeting minutes. Supervisor Stuart Bloomfield, Trustee Ron Lowry and Treasurer Laura Grubaugh are all facing recalls on November 4 over a 1 percent property tax administration fee. Only one trustee is not facing a recall or petitions.

New Mexico: Petitions started against Albuquerque mayor

Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry is facing recall petitions over his support for the police after the shooting death of James Boyd, a mentally ill homeless man. Berry got almost 70 percent of the vote in November.
No word on how many signatures are needed, but its definitely in the tens of thousands (33 1/3 of turnout). New Mexico is also a judicial recall/malfeasance standard state, so there would have to be a judicially accepted showing of cause for the recall to continue.

Washington: Bridgeport recall set for June 3

Bridgeport Mayor Marilynn Lynn is facing a June 3 recall, with ballots being mailed by May 16. Petitioners got 114 signatures. They needed 85. Lynn hired an employee after the city council decided against it.

Wisconsin: Special Prosecutor in John Doe Investigations voted for Walker in 2012 recall

This declaration is to ward off claims that the recall is a political hit.

Arizona: Two Sunnyside Board members facing recalls held fundraiser in Superintendent's home

Here

Michigan: Three Morenci City Council members facing petitions

Three Morenci City Council members, Brenda Spiess, Jeff Bell and Rebecca Berger, are facing recalls over “incompetent placement of police department leadership,” though the language has been rejected for clarity.

 The council members put a newer officer as interim head of the department over a much more experienced officer. The leader of the recall effort is a former council member who was elected in November by resigned in January.

Michigan: Petition language rejected against Warren Mayor and City Clerk

The attempt to recall Warren Mayor James Fouts and City Clerk Paul Wojno was rejected on clarity and factual grounds. Petitioner would need 9,603 valid signatures to get on the ballot if she gets new language approved.

Michigan: Benton Harbor mayor says no to debate

The recall will be held on May 6

California: Former Bell City Manager sentenced to 12 years

Denouncement from the recall of 2011

Wisconsin: Barrett forfeited $20,000 in campaign funds

He went over the $700,000 limit by $20,000.

Michigan: Three Demark Township officials dealt petitions over water project

Denmark Township Supervisor Donald W. Petro, Clerk Charles J. Heinlein, and Treasurer Dennis E. Weber are facing petitions over the abandonment of a water project.

New Jersey: Vineland mayoral recall needs 1800 more signature by May 19

Petitioners targeting Vineland Mayor Ruben Bermudez needs 1,800 more signatures by May 19 to get on the ballot. Petitioners need a total of 9,447,  though it is unclear how many of the current ones are valid. NJ is generally tough on signature verification, so it may be quite a bit more than 1,800.

North Carolina: Union County proposing School Board recall law

Union County opponents of a school board redistricting plan are trying to get state law changed to allow recalls of school board members.
State Rep. Craig Horn, R-Union is currently drafting a  law allowing recalls to go forward (though it wouldn't take place before December. 

Horn is modeling the legislation on a 2011 plan for Burke County’s school board. It says that if at least 15 percent of registered voters sign a recall petition, that would trigger a recall vote. Union County has about 140,000 registered voters, so a petition would need at least 21,000 signatures.

UK: More on the proposed recall law

Here and Here

Massachusetts: Hanson recall set for June 28

A month earlier (May 17) there is going to be a vote on the $58.4 million school project that preciptated the recall, so should be interested. 

Philippines: Cagayan de Oro City Mayor welcomes recall

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno is facing a recall launched by the majority of the city’s 80 barangay chairmen.

Under the Local Government Code of 1991, the majority members of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) could initiate, one year after the elections, a recall proceeding by gathering the signature of a certain percentage of voters, depending on the population of the locality. 

Colorado: Two Woodmen Hills board members facing petitions; One previously survived a recall vote in 2009

Recall petitions have been approved against Woodmen Hills Metropolitan District members Janice Pizzi and Bryan Mendiola -- I'm not not clear yet on how many signatures are needed. Pizzi previously survived a recall in the position in 2009 (she won 405-412). Here's a story on the earlier recall.

Massachusetts: Lancaster's recall law now before state legislature

Lancaster's attempt to get a recall law on the ballot (which passed in a special town meeting 287-58) is now being examined by the state legislature's Joint Committee on Election Laws. The issue that appears to have prompted the interest in a recall is the failure to renew the Town Administrator. Board of Selectmen Chair Jean Syria and Vice Chair Susan Smiley appear to be the likely targets of any recall attempts.

Oregon: Port Orford mayoral recall appears to fail

The recall of Mayor Jim Auborn is extremely close -- 204 yes, and 215 no. Very high turnout is reported -- 419 or the 653 voters cast ballots.

California: Modoc Supervisor survives recall

Modoc County Supervisor Jim Wills survived a recall attempt 365-248, with 60% turnout. 

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2014/04/09/6310195/voters-reject-effort-to-recall.html#storylink=cpy

Louisiana: Port Allen replacement mayor chosen

The victor in the replacement race in Port Allen was Richard Lee, who won 58 percent. The recalled mayor Demetric “Deedy” Slaughter received one-third. Turnout was close to 60%.

Idaho: Filer Mayor, City Council members facing petitions over officer who shot a dog

Filer Mayor Rick Dunn and all four City Council members, Don Barkley, Joe Lineberry, Bud Sheridan and Ruby Hite, are facing petitions over the decision to not fire police officer Tarek Hassani, who fatally shot a dog. The petitioners had enough signatures to start moving forward. 

Michigan: Holly Village Council members facing petitions

Petitions were filed against four Holly Village Council members, Ryan Bladzik, Chris Rankin, George Kullis and Debra Musgrave, though Kullis and Musgrave's terms ends in November. The issue is a contract between with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office for public safety dispatch services and, as a result, terminate the local dispatch of the village and dispose of all the dispatch equipment.

Michigan: Benton Harbor mayor address recall effort

Here

Arizona: State Senator targeted for recall over opposition for medical marijuana law

State Senator Kimberly Yee (R), the chair of the Senate Education Committee, is facing recall threats over her opposition to a bill that would take some of the  taxes from medical marijuana users and dispensaries and distribute it to university-based research on the drug.

Petitioners need 18,297 signatures, thought it sounds like the recall would be contemporaneous with Yee's reelection run in November.

Oregon: Terrebone recall shows use in Deschutes County

This week's Terrebonne Water District Recall was the first in Deschutes County in 12 years. But, as this article notes, the county has a long history of recall attempts. The county has seen at least 12 recalls advance to the ballots since 1967:

In 1967, a Deschutes County group called Citizens for Honest Government tried to recall a county commissioner and judge. The group claimed the officials were restricting citizens’ property rights by creating ordinances restricting certain development on private land.
That recall failed, as did a recall effort against two county commissioners in 1979.
But from 1980 to 2002, the county saw nine recall attempts, five of them successful.
Across Oregon, private property issues have sparked hundreds of local recall pushes, said Jim Moore, a political science professor and government director for the Tom McCall Center for Policy Innovation at Pacific University in Forest Grove. 

Recalls were especially common in Southern Oregon counties during the 1980s, Moore said. An economic recession and new environmental regulations crippled industry in timber-dependent counties. Conflicts between loggers and environmentalists prompted waves of recalls in communities throughout Douglas, Josephine, Jackson and Klamath counties.

Michigan: Second Saginaw EDucation Board recall rejected by Election Board

A second attempt to recall Saginaw School District Board of Education members Delena Spates-Allen, Alexis Thomas and Glenda Richardson-Vaughn failed due to clarity. The claim is that the board failed to evaluate the district's superintendent

Wisconsin: WAlker signs bill against ballot tampering; law came to the head during 2012 recall

Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill to prevent ballot tampering by placing sole authority to secure the ballots with the chief inspector and one other inspector (that have to be from two separate parties). The issue came up during the Senator Van Wanggaard recall.

Louisiana: Port Allen recall replacement race tomorrow

This article looks at some of the crazy behavior in this recall.

Wisconsin: Republicans consider recall for Assemblyman accused of sexual assault

There is now some discussion of using the recall to oust Wisconsin Assemblyman Bill Kramer (R), the former Majority Leader, who was charged with felony sexual assault for groping a woman at a 2011 fundraiser. Republicans are trying to push Kramer out, either by resignation or expulsion (though they seem to have given up on expulsion). If  he is convicted, he automatically loses the position). They are also discussing recalls, though since they adjourned for the year, the practical impact is quite limited.

The story notes that petitioners would have to get signatures equal to 25% of votes cast in the district in the 2010 gubernatorial election. As I've mentioned before, this fact is unclear and could be up for challenge -- they may have to get 25% of the total from the 2012 recall.

Canada: Toronto Councillor suggest petitioner-pays recall law

Scarborough councillor Chin Lee is pushing for recalls in Toronto, but wants petitioners to pay for any efforts. We've seen this type of provision before (notably in West Virginia). Lee's bill would make petitioners pay 75% of the cost -- for a councillor, $187,500. For a Mayor, $5.25 million. 

Massachusetts: Hanson Board members facing June recall

The recall against Hanson Chairman James Egan and vice chairman Stephen Amico will be set for June.

California: One of the victors in the Coastside fire board recall already quitting postion

Here

Colorado: Threats brought against West Custer County Hospital District Board

The five member West Custer County Hospital District board,  Joe Arbuckle, Brent Bruser, Chuck Ippolito, Ken Lankford and Bob Tobin, are facing recall threats over a number of issues including their plan to save local emergency services. An editorial opposing the recall notes that three members are up for reelection, but no one has decided to challenge them.

Arizona: Recall leaders file complaints with state bar over signatures in Cave Creek recall

This is over Cave Creek Vice Mayor signing the petition with the name James Gandolfini.

Washington: Recall attempt against Bridgeport mayor moves forward

An attempt to recall Bridgeport Mayor Marilynn Lynn is moving to the next stage, as petitioners have received approval to start collecting signatures (Washington State requires a showing of malfeasance). It is unclear what the malfeasance was, but it passed the test. Petitioners need 85 signatures to get on the ballot.

Michigan: Hesperia School Board member resigns

Hesperia School Board member Jeff Thome resigned in the face of his May 6 recall. This looks like a follow-up to last year's multiple recalls in Hesperia, following the firing of the football coach.

Michigan: Warren Mayor, City Clerk facing petitions

Warren Mayor James Fouts and City Clerk Paul Wojno, both in their second term, are facing petitions over claims of verbally abusing employees and not maintaining city records, some other charges, including backing laws that "were passed that only help the mayor's personal views."

The petitioner appears to have some specific issues with the government:

Spranger has been an outspoken opponent of government efforts permitting installation of so-called “smart meters” by electric utility companies. In Warren, she has attended council meetings wearing a hat, large sunglasses and a metallic-covered suit to visually demonstrate the protection she believes will be needed against electromagnetic radio-frequency radiation from the meters. She also feels the meters violate privacy rights because the devices monitor electricity usage in homes.

Oregon: Terrebonne Water District Board members kicked out

Terrebonne Domestic Water District Board members Kay Walters and Sharron Stuck were kicked out yesterday over bills that were three times as high. Walters lost 134-75, and Struck was struck down 124-84.

Two other board members, Jay Walters (Kay Walters' son) and David Dow resigned in February in the face of the recall.

Oregon: Port Orford Mayor facing April 8 recall

Port Orford Mayor Jim Auborn is facing an April 8 recall over his support for a National Marine Sanctuary, which the lead petitioner, a port commissioner, claims would hut the economy. Petitioner got 86 signatures, which was enough.

Oregon: Two Rocky Point Fire District Directors kicked out

Both Rocky Point Fire District directors were kicked out in the April 1 election -- Director Tony Bixler lost 80-59, and Rita Donato lost 72-67. Turnout was about 65% (139 of 213 people) The issues were a $500 raide for the fire chief, the hiring of a part-time assistant chief and the creation of a sleepover training program.

Colorado: My op-ed on the proposed change in law

This is my op-ed on the recall reform for the Colorado Independent

Idaho: Kuna school board trustee facing petitions over no vote on new levy

Kuna School Board trustee Michael Law is facing petitions over his vote against holding a vote  to approve a $3.19 million levy in May after their March levy failed. Petitioners need 29 signatures, and they claim they have 40.

California: Firefighters' union poll suggests success in Russian River Fire District recall

Here

California: Rialto School Board members face petitions

Rialto School Board members Joseph Martinez and Joe Ayala received recall petitions over the approval of contracts, and claims that the reserve fund was depleted of $30 millions. Both were elected in 2008 and are on their second terms.

 The recall fight comes after the superintendent retired in the face of an investigation into his personal relationship with a district accountant who is accused of stealing $1.8 million in lunch money over 8 years.  

Ayala did not vote to place the superintendent on paid administrative leave. 

Louisiana: Absentee ballot fraud alleged in Port Allen Mayoral replacement race

Looks like there is some more trouble in Port Allen. In the race to replace Mayor Deedy Slaughter (who was recalled in November, though she is on the ballot for the replacement), the Sheriff's office is looking into allegations that signatures were fraudulently submitted in the early mail-in ballot portion -- sounds like this is a version of the good old fashion absentee ballot fraud that Professor Rick Hasen has repeatedly noted.

The precipitating issue that a large number of people faxed in their absentee requests. There is allegations that Slaughter's supporters are responsible for at least one of the fraudulent ballots.

The race has very high turnout -- the second highest in early voting in the city's history (the first was in the November recall). 36% of voters have already voted.

Wisconsin: Franklin mayoral candidate gets unwanted surprise in discovering that campaign treasurer signed recall petitions

Milwaukee County Supervisor and Franklin Alderman Steve Taylor, who is running for Franklin Mayor, just appears to have found out that his campaign treasurer signed the Scott Walker recall petitions. The problem here is that Franklin is a conservative area -- it went 65% for Walker in the recall.

Michigan: Signatures verified in Jerome Township recalls

Petitions have been handed in against Jerome Township Supervisor Stuart Bloomfield, Treasurer Laura Grubaugh and Trustee Ron Lowry over a 1 percent property tax administration fee.  Petitioners needed 424 valids, they handed in 542 (523 valid) for Bloomfield; 525 (503 valid) for Grubaugh) and 547 (521 valid) for Lowry.

Slight wrinkle in the law -- because it is a partisan position, the recall will not take place during primary day in August, but will be held until the November elections.

Massachusetts: Hanson recalls get on the ballot for June

Hanson Board of Selectmen Chairman James Egan and Vice Chairman Stephen Amico. Petitioners handed in 1054 and 1064, they needed 691. The recall should be a special in June.
The issue is that they misled residents over a $58 million combined elementary school (replacing the current two schools).

Oddly, Egan is up for reelection in May. If he wins, he can't be recalled. If he loses, the recall is apparently moot. He'll still be on the ballot in June.