North Dakota: Signatures handed in against two Parshall School Board

Signatures were handed in against Parshall School Board Members Michelle Billadeai and Jay Caluson. The issue for petitioners is falling test scores and sex harassment complaints. There seems to be a lot of drop outs in high school.

California: Grand Jury lambastes ousted Selma School Board Trustees, though no ruling on open meeting violation

The removal of Selma School District superintendent Mark Sutton by the school board was attacked by a grand jury, though they haven't indicted anyone for open meeting violation.

The three board members who voted to fire Sutton -- John Lorona, Gilbert Lopez and Roger Orosco -- were all kicked out in November.

California: Yermo Community Service Board President and VP ousted in recall

Yermo School Board President Bob Smith (131-84) and VP Geoff Berner (124-85) were ousted in recall votes, with Michael Cint and Clarissa Loehr replacing them. Cint's seat is up for reelection in November. The issue was a wrongful death and two wrongful termination suits. Smith announced he was resigning December 31, but obviously didn't go through with it.

Venezuela: Opposition lawmakers attacked in an attempt to speed up process

Here's the latest as the President Maduro's supporters appear to be slow-walking the process.

California: More on Santa Clara Judge recall

Just tons on Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky, though the potential petitioners do seem to have gotten the possible recall dates right, as they are focused on getting on the ballot in November. Here's a bit on the Stanford Law Professor, Michele Dauber, leading the charge for the recall.

Michigan: Attorney General recall petitions given ok

The effort to recall Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette (R) over the Flint water crisis has been approved.  Petitioners would need 789,133 signatures in 60 days.

Non Recall Op-ed on the Democratic Platform

This one is in Newsweek

Non-Recall Op-ed on the "Dream Ticket"

Here's my piece in CNBC

New edition of Democracy and Political Ignorance

A new edition of George Mason University Law Professor (and Volokh Conspiracy blogger) Ilya Somin's book Democracy and Political Ignorance is coming out. For anyone interested in the subjects brought up by recalls and direct democracy and electoral politics in general, Somin's work is a must read.

Recalls engender significant criticism from all vantage points, but frankly most of the criticism can be dismissed out of hand. Nearly every recall results in editorials, op-eds and complaints that "this fill-in-your-blank issue is not why we have a recall law, and this particular recall is an abuse of the process." As I've discussed many times, this statement is flat-out wrong. Recall laws can and are drafted to limit recalls to felonies or other misbehavior. Eight states have this type of recall -- which is confusingly called judicial recalls, but I prefer the term malfeasance standard or "for cause" recalls. Those states rarely have recalls. If the other states want that law, they can adopt it -- it's been around since at least 1912. They don't move because voters prefer having the option of a political recall -- where they can kick some one out for any reason whatsoever. So the law is the law and the recall works as designed.

But there's another underlying argument that you see in the criticism. Opposition to recalls are a case-by-case basis. Many people were in favor of recalling Governor Gray Davis (D) and opposed to recalling Governor Walker (R) and vice versa. This is the real basis for the complaints against recalls -- a "not against my team, but fine against your team" statement. Needless to say, this type of complaint is just hypocritical.

There are legitimate arguments against the recall. William Howard Taft's position was that the recall was the hair-trigger form of government and Alexander Hamilton didn't want Senators to be subject to the "capricious humors among the people." This point for the "trustee" model of government, that we want elected officials to make the big decisions rather than just represent our views, has it value, but it stops short of a more unpleasant and more truthful question. It does not forthrightly acknowledge the real question -- can the people be trusted to come to a better decision than a "trustee"?

If the mass of voters are able to have better answers than the single, arguably much more "worthy" trustee, than there should be no problem with a recall. What the argument against the recall is stating is that the mass of voters are more likely to come up with a worse answer. And why is that? This is where Somin's argument comes in. In stating that voters display shocking political ignorance. Somin provides a valid complaint against the recall and against other issues in democracy.

I'm not necessarily persuaded by Somin's argument (which I'm not dealing with here. His bigger point is empowering voters to "vote with their feet" and his work is more thoughtful than just this point. As I said, go read his post or the book for more details) . He definitely makes a strong case for political ignorance, but my experience reading about thousands of recalls suggests that politicians may have no better instinct or thought for good decision making than the mass of voters. But his argument is critical to understanding the recall and the overall trend to direct democracy and more powerful government.

Electoral structures as a whole have been moving rapidly to a more voter-directed government and away from the trustee model. This is true, whether it is from direct democracy itself (initiatives) or it is from politicians being vastly more aware of voter opinions on every single issue that crops up. In that sense, Somin's work is quite important in providing deep analysis of what the move to a more democratic system means.

It also is an example of what attracted many of us to blogs in the first place -- as a universe where you can see high-level analysis from across the political spectrum. Unfortunately, a lot of that cross-pollination has withered over the years (blogging is a lot of work) and has been replaced by partisan rants, but it is still out there. I've studied the recall (non-professionally) for almost 20 years and the writings on political ignorance were the first time I saw someone truly take a detailed, evidence-based attack on the underlying arguments in favor of allowing recalls. My goal in studying recalls was not to get rich or famous (mission accomplished!) but to gain a better understanding of a weird, completely ignored corner of the political system, one that I think actually explains a lot about how politics operates in the real world. Only a small part of my writing is on the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of the recall, but the rest of my writing all grows out from it. The best political analysis should help me hone that understanding, and the exploration of political ignorance has done.  I probably would not have come across this if I didn't start a blog that seemed focused on First Amendment and other legal issues.

The Recall Elections Blog is obviously looking at the subject of political power from a very different point of view, but the issues he raises and discusses in numerous posts and articles on political ignorance must be seriously considered when looking at how to distribute and when to limit power.

California: Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge facing recall threats

Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky is facing a threatened recall over his sentencing of a Stanford University swimmer/student Brock Turner to a six month jail for rape. Already, a Stanford law professor is suggesting she will lead one, and an online petition that has garnered over a million signatures (none count toward a recall). The petitioners need an unclear number of signatures which may be almost 59000, but could be much more. They also likely will not be able to start until April.

The petitioners will face a few serious problems with their recall effort. The first obvious one is that 80920 or 59000 signatures are both a hell of a lot. Of the tens of thousands of recalls that have occurred in the US, only a handful have needed more signatures – the most prominent among those were three Governors, a Lieutenant Governor and two Mayors of Los Angeles.

The other problems are more specific – it involves the grace period. California law does not allow a recall in the last six months of a term unless the official is appointed or in the first three months of a new term. Persky is up for reelection in November. While Persky was first appointed to the office, he was elected six years ago. Even if they could collect the signatures today, the recall would not be allowed.

Then if he is reelected – and that’s a good bet, as he is running unopposed -- petitioners would have to wait three months from the start of his term before starting the collection process. Now, we've seen questions on when the grace period ends crop up in an attempt against the San Francisco Mayor. Almost certainly, the signature gathering won't start till April. By then, anger may have cooled and people’s attention may wander. This has happened many times in the past.

This grace period and the fact that he is running unopposed is part of the reason we aren't completely sure about the signature totals. California law holds that the signatures required must equal be 20% of the total vote cast for the countywide office which has the least number of votes in the most recent general election.

The Registrar stated it was 80920 then changed that to almost 59000 based on a different calculation. If there is no countywide office up for election in November, then it will be the almost 59,000 signatures. However, it is not clear if any judge will be facing an election or if a court would rule that it is a position that is positions that are larger than countywide (such as Senator or President), and just includes the votes in the county. It is not a likely interpretation, but it certainly may lead to a lawsuit. If so, the election in 2016 will have a higher voter turnout (all presidential elections do).

Let's now get to some history here:

As we've discussed before, recall of judges almost never happen. There's been plenty of threats including one against an Orange County Superior Court Judge last year and one in Nevada where we are still waiting for the Supreme Court to rule on whether the judge would face a recall (here's another in Montana). The last recalls of judges we've seen in the country took place in Wisconsin back in 1977 and 1982. Much as with Persky, those recalls were about sexual assaults, though the recalls were due to incredibly inappropriate comments from the bench. In 1977, Judge Archie Simonson was tossed out by voters after both handing down extremely lenient sentencing for a rapist and making negative comments about women and rape victims from the bench. This was followed in 1982 when Judge William Reinecke survived a vote despite disparaging comments about a five-year old sexual assault victim. Note that there are many retention elections that are incorrectly described as recalls -- most notably California Supreme Court Chief Justice Rose Bird, Cruz Reynoso and Joseph Grodin and three Supreme Court members in Iowa.

The last recalls of a Judge in California were three that took place in 1932 against Los Angeles Superior Court Judges John L. Fleming, Dailey S. Stafford and Walter Guerin. All three were removed.

Using the recall against a judge has always been controversial. California's recall law almost floundered over this issue back in 1911 – a late-breaking state Supreme Court scandal proved decisive. On the national level, President William Howard Taft vetoed the Arizona constitution over a recall of judges’ provision and the recall of judges was one of the key flash points in the Taft- Theodore Roosevelt split in 1912.

We'll see if social media can keep the fires burning long enough to get this recall on the ballot.

New Jersey: Is Bayonne recall "gross miscalculation"?

Interesting discussion of Bayonne Mayor James Davis recall -- it notes that the change in law for how many signatures are required to get a recall on ballot from voter turnout to registered voters has killed the use of the recall in Hudson County (and though not mentioned, really in New Jersey as a whole). There have been only two successful ones in in Hudson County -- one in North Bergen, one in West New York that resulted in the same official winning reelection.

The result is that the recall against Davis seems like a waste of time that could have been used to have taken power in other ways.

Colorado: Post-recall Jefferson School Board praised for end of strife

Here

California: Former Yorba Linda Water District Board Member calls for recall of current board

A recent water rate hike and an alleged lack of transparency has led former Board Member Mark Abramowitz to call for a recall.

Massachusetts: Shirley recall provision signed by Governor

Shirley's recall law has been signed by the Governor, giving the town the right to recall Selectmen. A recent fight over a COLA increase for the town administrator seems to have precipitated the push for the new law.

Wisconsin: Sevastopol School principal resigns while board members face recall

Sevastopol School Board Members Bill Behme and President Sue Todey are facing a recall as the school principal who was the target of an investigation resigned. The board previously refused to renew the principal's contract. Petitioners need 740 signatures each.

This is the second recall effort in Sevastopol. A previous attempt to recall board member Jay Zahn and Jane Luebker did not hand in the signatures.

Massachusetts: Norwell Selectmen vote to send recall bylaw to voters

The recall law requires a conviction, admission of a crime or a lack of attendance ( less than 50% of meetings).

10 Petitioners need to make a complaint in person, than they need 10% of registered voters signatures in 60 days.

Oregon: Fairview Mayor and two councilmembers hit with recall effort

Fairview Mayor Ted Tosterud and Councilmembers Ed Bejarana and Tamie Tlustos-Arnold are facing petitions filed by two former city councilors (Ted Kotsakis and Steve Owen). There doesn't seem to be a listed reason yet for the recall effort, though Kostaskis quit part way through his term in 2015. Owen was the senior member of the council, quit two months later. The two councilmembers facing the recall were appointed to replace them. Tosterud was a strong supporter of Kotsakis.

Tlistos-Arnold is the Republican nominee for an Oregon State Senate seat.

Petitioners need 419 signatures.

Venezuela: National Electoral Council postpones meeting on whether to allow recall

The recall effort against President Nicolas Maduro, which has collected 1.85 million signatures (they need 197,000) is waiting for the National Electoral Council to hold a meeting with opposition leaders.

Electoral authorities claim that 10,000 of the signatures are forgeries, but that is thought to be a delaying effort. If the election is delayed until 2017 a deputy gets the position, rather than have a replacement race.

Petitioners still need 4 million signatures if they get past this stage.

Michigan: Lowell Mayor recall on November 8 ballot

The recall against Mayor Jeff Aloft is on the November ballot, with an issue of Aloft's vote voting to hire a special legal counsel. Aloft is his second term. -- Lowell Light & Power Board Chairman Greg Canfield is running against him.

Nevada: Activist who led effort against Republican Speaker indicted

Some fallout from the efforts against the Republican Speaker in 2015, which led to a failed recall attempt. Here, one of the Republican activists, Tony Dane, who owned a robocalling business was indicted on 11 felony charges.

Arizona: Signatures handed in for recall of Acacia Councilwoman

Signatures were handed in against Councilwoman Vicki Hunt. Petitioners need 478, they handed in 798 and hope to be on the November 8 ballot. The issue is "increasing costs to taxpayers" and transparency and financial waste.

California: Lake Forest Recall effort fails

The attempts to recall Mayor Andrew Hamilton, Mayor Pro Tem Scott Voigts and Councilman Dwight Robinson over claims of corruption due to a road project, failed. Petitioners needed 7882 signatures for each. They handed in 8228 for Hamilton, 6690 were verified, 8240 for Robinson of which 6642 were good, and 8170 for Voigts, of which 6634 were valid.

The councilmen claim that two other council members, Adam Nick and Jim Gardner, led the recall effort.

The signature check cost $3.40 per signature, so it will cost the $84,000.

Colorado: Thorton Councilwoman recall attempt fails

The attempt to recall Thorton Councilwoman Janifer Kulmann failed. Petitioners needed 1600 signatures, and did not hand in any. The issue was that Kulmann worked for as a professional engineer for Noble Energy.

Connecticut: Stratford Town Council recall looks to be heading to court

The recall effort against Council Chairwoman Beth Daponte is facing a legal fight, as the Town Attorney is claiming that the recall is illegal under state law. We'll see if this goes anywhere.

Virginia: Recall efforts against Norfolk City Treasurer and Portsmouth Mayor both coming to finish line

The campaign against both Norfolk City Treasurer Anthony Burfoot (4353 signatures) and Portsmouth Mayor Kenneth Wright (7788 signatures) are coming to then end, with petitioners claiming that they should have enough signatures to get the recalls on the ballot.

Wright would face a recall vote, but Burfoot would be under state law, and have to face the rarely used recall trial. We're waiting in anticipation.

California: SF Mayoral recall attempt rejected based on timing

The Department of Elections has rejected an attempt to recall Mayor Ed Lee until July over a timing issue, which petitioners claim will make it very hard to get on the November ballot. SF has a six month grace period between elections and the start of a recall. The petitioners are claiming that Lee was appointed in 2011, but since he was just reelected and the recall is only referring to the most recent election, the Department is undoubtedly going to prevail here. We've seen this before (notably Portland's Mayor) and I can't see any court ruling otherwise.

Petitioners need about 44,718 signatures to get the recall on the ballot.

Virginia: Signs touting recall of Portsmouth mayor being ripped down

The effort for a recall of Portsmouth Mayor Kenny Wright is facing trouble as signs pushing for the recall are disappearing. Petitioners claim that they have over the 7778 signatures needed for a recall.

Michigan: Former Cottrelville Township Supervisor fined for violating open meeting laws

Former Cottrelville Township Supervisor Kelly Fiscelli, who lost a recall over open meeting violations (and a DUI, and living outside the district) was fined $750 and costs and attorneys fees for cutting short the comment periods of three defendants in May 2013.

New Jersey: Petitions approved against Bayonne Councilman

Petitions were approved against Councilman Sal Gullace by the same group looking to remove Mayor Jimmy Davis. Petitioner needs 2569 signatures by November 2.

Colorado: Recall attempt dropped against third Castle Rock Councilmember

An attempt to recall Castle Rock Councilmember Mark Heath was dropped, with petitioners claiming that Heath has been more engaged. Mayor Paul Donahue is still facing an upcoming vote, and Renee Valentine is suing over petitions that were handed in against her.

Colorado: Castle Rock Councilwoman protests recall petition

Councilwoman Renee Valentine has protested the petitions handed in against, claiming that the complaint is false and misleading -- the claims over a right to vote on annexation, limiting public comments at meeting and approving budgets that exceed revenue.

Petitioners handed in over 300 signatures. 273 were validated. They needed 268 signatures.

Colorado: Former El Paso Sheriff arrested

Former El Paso Sheriff Terry Maketa, who was the subject of recall threats though the alleged 48,000 signatures gathered wasn't enough for the petitioners to turn in, has been indicted on second degree kidnapping and false imprisonment. He was alleged to have had a string of affairs with subordinates while in office.

Zimbabwe: Electronic Resource Centre calls for recall law

Currently, the parties can remove a legislator. The law would give the power to the voters.The Centre is calling for the right to be given to the voters.

New Mexico: Three Silver School Board members targeted

Silver School Board President Arnold Torres, VP Tony Egan and member Chris Arvidson are all facing petitions over it looks like one the leaders include a former School Board Member and a former education association president. This is probably about the recent buyout of the Superintendent for $60,000 and the Superintendent's decision to push for the firing of several coaches.

Petitioners need signatures totally 33 1/3% of turnout.

Colorado: Castle Rock Councilmember denounces recall of colleagues

Castle Rock Mayor Paul Donahue is facing a recall on July 26 and petitions are still out for Councilmember Renee Valentine. Fellow council member Brett Ford denounced the recall effort:

“I've always believed that a recall should be used when one has committed fraud, embezzlement and illegal acts, however, that has not happened."

Oregon: Harney County Commissioner recall scheduled for June 28

Here

Georgia: Meigs Mayor Ousted

Meigs Mayor Linda Harris was ousted 94-48 in Tuesday's recall after she was charged with theft. Harris has spoken about running in the upcoming special election replacement race.

Harris' tenure has been controversial -- she won in 2013 by four votes and was arrested for stalking the ex-mayor; she was arrested for disorderly conduct and banned from City Hall. Most of the power of her office was transferred to the City Manager. The city was sued for a hostile work environment and lost its insurance. Then, she was arrested for stealing $80 and using a city credit card without authority.

She recently tried to pass a law that would make it illegal for city council members to be arrested by Meigs police.

Michigan: Four Croswell-Lexington School Board members facing petitions over resignations

Four Croswell-Lexington School Board members, Linda France, Lyle Clarkson, Laurie Ebner and Katie Gordon, are facing recall threats over their acceptance of the resignations of three of the districts four principals (all of whom appear to have lacked proper certifications). The focus does seem to be an open meeting violation. The Board did receive a note of support from the State Superintendent.

Tennessee: Memphis Council Chairman facing threats over parking

Council Chairman Kemp Conrad is facing threats over his support for allowing parking on the Overton Park "greensward." Petitioners would need 36,455 signatures (10% of total votes in the last general election -- I wonder about that). One of the leaders seems to be his past opponent Robin Spielberger.

Massachusetts: Recall effort against two Lowell Selectmen on hold

The recall effort against Selectmen Carolyn Smart and Gordon Clark are on hold, as petitioners wait for what they call a ruling, though it is not clear who is giving the ruling. The issue was open meeting law violations.

California: Three Arvin Councilmembers facing petitions

Three Arvin City Council members, Jose Gurrola, Jazmin Robles and Jess Ortiz, are facing petitions due in one week, with Mayor Jose Flores being one of those leading the recall charge. The claim is that the councilmembers are easily manipulated -- Flores seems to be upset that the councilmembers went out to recruit a new police chief rather than promoting in-house. Petitioners need 20% of registered voters.

Texas: Corpus Christi Mayor facing petitions over bad water

Mayor Nelda Martinez is facing petitions over issues of bad water in the city. Petitioners would need 16500 signatures (10% of registered voters).

California: The Recall Boomerang effect and the San Francisco Mayor

I've mentioned the 1983 San Francisco Mayoral Recall against Dianne Feinstein as a big career boost for her. Here's another discussion of it in relation to grumbling to recall the current mayor Ed Lee.

Nebraska: Madison Mayor up for recall after 229 signatures handed in

Madison Mayor Alvin Brandl is now facing a recall within the next 75 days. Petitioners handed in 229 valids. Petitioners need 170. The issue was Brandl's appointments to various city boards. The recall has been set for July 19.

New Jersey: Recall efforts expand to Councilman

Councilman Sal Gullace is now facing recall efforts by the same group who are leading the charge against Mayor Jimmy Davis. Petitioners need 2569 signatures in 160 days. The group claims they have about 2500 signatures against Davis, but need 8178.

The issue seems to be a proposed development which includes a mosque. However, the claim is that the councilman allegedly once called the Second Ward " a dump" and that he tried to "pilfer" more than $20,000 in health benefits (which was about a health benefits coordinator mistakenly advising that 3 council members were entitled to health insurance).

Oregon: Harney County Commissioner recall makes the ballot over Malheur National Wildlife Refuge takeover

Some follow up from one of the big media stories of last year -- the takeover of a wildlife refuge center, Petitioners have handed in enough signatures to get the recall against Harney County Commissioner Steve Grasty on the ballot by June 28 (he serves as County Court judge, though that is chairman of the commission, not a judge). Petitioners needed 444 signatures, and they got 458 valids. Grasty was first elected in 1998 and his term runs out this year.

The issue was Grasty's opposition to the takeover/41-day holdout of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge by Amnon Bundy and his supporters.

Ohio: Look back at the Akron Mayor recall attempt

This one is part of a chapter of a book on the mayor by a former Beacon-Journal reporter Steve Love. The Indomitable Don Plusquellic: How a Controversial Mayor Quarterbacked Akron's Comeback.

Pennsylvania: State Senator proposes recall law

State Senator Rob Teplitz (D) has proposed a constitutional amendment that requires a recall vote for governor, lieutenant governor and state lawmakers if a state budget is not adopted by January 1. Definitely a new turn on the recall law.

California: New procedures for removing elected officials to be voted on by San Diego voters

This is in the wake of the Mayor Bob Filner debacle. It is not clear whether there are changes to the city's terrible recall law.

Georgia: Meigs Mayor survives impeachment vote, Recall vote on Tuesday

Mayor Linda Harris survived an impeachment vote (they needed 3 members to vote against her, it was instead a 2-1 vote). This is after Harris was arrested for theft and unauthorized use of a city credit card. The headline states that she survived a recall vote, but that will take place on May 24.

Idaho: Two School Board members kicked out in West Ada

West Ada School Board Trustees Tina Dean (62%) and Carol Sayles (63%) were both removed in a recall yesterday. Trustees Russell Joki and Julie Madsen had previously resigned. The issue started with the firing of the former superintendent.

Massachusetts: Barre Selectman ousted

Selectman Richard Jankauskas was kicked out 790-387. Turnout was about 33% of registered voters. The issue was the non renewal of the contracts of the fire and police chief. Jankauskas had been in office for 10 years.

There is also now an attempt to recall Selectman Lief Ericson.

Non recall op-ed on negative campaigns

Here

Oregon: Recalled Powers Councilman applying for appointment to new council seat

Former Powers Councilor Joseph George, who was kicked out in a recall in September, is applying to be appointed to a newly vacant council seat.

Wisconsin: Three Paris Town Board members facing recall efforts

Chairman Virgil Gentz and Supervisors Ronald Ronald Kammerzelt and Kenneth Monson are facing petitions over the town's approval of an intergovernmental agreement transfering 2500 acres from Paris to Somers.  One of the petitioners, Paul Terry, lost to Kammerzelt in a 2011 race. Petitioners need 202 signatures to get it on the ballot.

Virginia: Norfolk Treasurer signature count taking time

Petitioners have handed in about 5400 signatures calling for the recall trial of Treasurer Anthony Burfoot on charges of taking kickbacks and bribes when he was a councilman (he was indicted in January) . However the registrar is not even half way through the count. 5000 signatures were handed in on March 31 and 400 on April 22. Usually, there is a requirement that this gets done in a much shorter timeframe (30 days is a regular deadline). Petitioners need 4352 valids.

Arizona: Secretary of State facing challenges over failure to distribute info

Secretary of State Michele Reagan (R) is facing heavy criticism for failing to properly distribute election ballot information on two Propositions. Here's a column calling for her recall (which, due to the sheer amount of signatures required, is not happening).

Texas: Alice Council recall petition tossed out

The petition to recall Alice Councilman Ron Burke was tossed out for not meeting standards, though the story doesn't explain what the deficiency was.

North Carolina: Exploding targets and firearms restriction proposals lead to bills to allow recall in Tobaccoville

A fight in Tobaccoville which led to the resignation of Mayor Billy McHorne -- who then quickly rescinded the resignation -- has led to bills in the legislature which would allow for recalls in the village. Senator Joyce Krawiec (R) and Representative Debra Conrad (R) filed Senate bill 823 and House Bill 1058.  The proposed law would required signatures from 20% of registered voters (736). The recall would take place at the same time as another scheduled election.

The precipitating issue was ordinances restricting firearms within 1000 feet of an occupied building and banning exploding targets set off by high velocity bullets. Neither of the ordinances passed.

Connecticut: Stratford Council Chairwoman facing recall threats

Chairwoman Beth Daponte (D) is facing a recall threat. The issue is a tax increase approved by the council.

This would be the first recall I can remember in Connecticut. Petitioners need about 450 signatures, and the vote would be a one-day, two-step version.

Idaho: Governor, First Lady endorse West Ada School Board recall effort

Don't see that everyday -- Governor Butch Otter endorsed the recall effort in West Ada.

Oregon: Harney County Commissioner facing signatures over wildlife refuge takeover

Harney County Commissioner Steve Grasty (who is called the County Court judge, but is just chairman) is facing a potential recall following the national circus around the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge by Ammon Bundy and his supporters. Grasty opposed the takeover.

Philippines: Former Laguna Governor immediately calls for recall

Former Laguna Governor Emilio Ramon Ejercito calls for a recall after losing the race because his son's name stayed on the ballot despite repeated petitions to remove it. The son withdrew from the race in November. However, the combined vote would be less than the winner, Nacionalista Party candidate Ramil Hernandez.

Texas: Mayor, two Commissioners recalled in Electra; refuse to accept vote

Mayor Pam Ward (166-147) Commissioner Kevin Byrd (171-149) and Ricky Kelley (183-133) were kicked out in a recall vote over the firing of the police chief. Ward also lost a reelection run at the same time. The man who organized the recall lost in a fourth race.

Kelley refused to approve the canvassing of the election results, and Byrd missed the meeting. Without the two of them, there is no quorum, so the recall has still not been certified. It is not clear what will happen here, but just another example of problems with poorly drafted election and recall laws.

Massachusetts: Norwell recall law waiting for board of selectmen

Norwell board of selectmen are reviewing the potential recall law approved by a town meeting.

California: Petitions taken out against Arrowhead Lake Association Board President

Board President Patti McGonigle is facing petitions over what seems to be the decision to take ownership of the village docks, though the ALA members with boats seem to have voted against taking that action. 138 signatures are needed.

Maine: Tremont voters approve recall

Tremont approved a recall law 74-41, though it only works for selectmen. Petitioners would need 25% of turnout from a gubernatorial election.

North Dakota: Valley City Mayor who survived 2012 recall resigns

Valley City Mayor Bob Werkhoven, who survived a recall in 2012, resigned for health related

Ohio: Huber Heights Mayor facing petitions

Huber Heights Mayor Tom McMasters is facing a recall effort against him, which he feels will help his independent candidacy for a US House seat.  Petitioners need more than 1600 signatures. The issues include McMasters' alleged misunderstanding of a tax increment financing, not signing legislation and disapproving the city manager's contract, as well as a censure from the city council, complaints by staffers and the NAACP and calling a councilman a sleazeball.

Massachusetts: Former Rowley Water Board member attempting to push for impeachment of Judge

Timothy Toomey, who recalled in February from the Towley Board of Water Commissioners by a vote of 675-26, has asked state Representative Brad Hill to start proceedings to impeach Judge Richard Welch. The issue is Welch's upholding of the signatures in the recall effort.

Texas: Petitions taken out against Alice Councilman

Petitions have been started against Alice Councilman Ron Burke over alleged abuses of power, though the precipitating factor appears to be his call for an investigation into the funding for the Natatorium.

California: Lake Forest Councilman nearly all of donations to effort against three fellow councilmembers

The recall effort against Councilmen Andrew Hamilton, Dwight Robinson and Scott Voights over a road project (and their accepting donations from a developer) has taken an interesting turn, as the fourth council member, Jim Gardner has been revealed as the main monetary backer of the recall -- handing in nearly $30,000 in cash. Gardner claims the issue has to due with a county animal shelter with a high kill rate.

Canada: Newfoundland MHA looks to add recall law

Another attempt to add a recall law up north, this time by MHA Steve Kent.

Texas: Crystal City kicks Mayor, City Council members

Though the mayor previously resigned, voters in Crystal City, the "most corrupt little town in America", voted out Mayor Ricardo Lopez 526-59 (90%), Mayor Pro-Tem Rogelio Mata 451-131 (77.5%) and Councilman Marco Rodriguez 440-134 (76.66%). This was following a number of arrests and other problems.

Georgia: Meigs Mayor indicted

Meigs Mayor Linda Harris, who is facing a potential recall, was indicted for theft from city hall.

Idaho: West Ada Settles suit with former superintendent whose firing jumps started recall efforts

Here

Texas: Former El Paso Mayor settles suit against Bishop who tried to recall him in 2011

Former El Paso Mayor John Cook has settled his suit against Bishop Tom Brown over damages and attorneys fees over Brown's recall effort against him and City Representatives Susie Byrd and Steve Ortega. This was a big recall, resulting in a controversial (at least in these parts) decision on the city's recall law. Brown was suing for $700,000, and the settlement is undisclosed.

Oregon: Former House Majority Leader gets big donation from Bloomberg's PAC in race for Secretary of State

Here

Missouri: Attempt to recall Springfield Councilman over nipple remarks abandoned

The recall attempt against Councilman Justin Burnett has been abandoned. Burnett faced the recall effort over his attempt to put forward a stronger indecent exposure law -- he then submitted a letter of resignation, but rescinded it. The petitioners now claim that Burnett has done a "180" in office since.

California: Concord Mayor and Councilman facing petition threats

Mayor Laura Hoffmeister and Councilman Edi Birsan are facing recall threats over the choice of a developer for a project at the multi-million dollar reuse project for the Concord Naval Weapons Station. An independent investigator has issued a report has criticized their push to suppress a staff recommendation for one developer, who subsequently withdraw from the project.

Petitioners would need about 8000 signatures in 160 days. Since Birsan is up for reelection in November, that seems unlikely.

New Jersey: End of Loptacong Township Mayor recall in dispute

Mayor Tom McKay claims the recall effort against him (requiring 1466 signatures in 160 days) is over, though the county clerk says that the deadline is June 15. Sounds like another legal fight, though there is no discussion of whether signatures are actually coming in.

Texas: Keller Mayor survives recall vote

Keller Mayor Mark Mathews survived his recall vote, 2013-1817 (53.65-46.35%). More people signed the petition than voted in favor of it. The issue was claims that Mathews violated conflict of interest laws over developments.

Montana: Glacier County Treasurer kicked out

Glacier County Treasurer Mary Ann Boggs, who was hit with charges of incompetence for failing to respond to FOIA requests and failing to produce basic accounting reports, has been removed. The vote was 1744-325.

South Dakota: Hartford Mayor resigns after unsuccessful recall

Mayor Bill Campbell resigned following a huge, still ongoing fight over his recall. The petitioners handed in enough signatures, but the council would not schedule the recall. A tie vote was broken by the council president voting twice, which has led to state-wide bills preventing the double vote and changing recall laws.

Michigan: Covert School Board President kicked out

Diana Parrigin lost her seat over a marijuana possession arrest. Valerie Bury beat her 195-50.

Georgia: Camilla Council members facing recall attempt over open meeting law violations and others

Council members Annie Doris Willingham, Vivian Smith, Bryant Campbell and Danny Palmer are facing a petition effort. Georgia is a malfeasance standard state so it is not clear that this is going anywhere.

Update: The recall was rejected, but the fight in Camilla has taken new dimensions.

Non recall Op-ed on Democrats VP selection

Here in CNBC

Venezuela: 1.85 million signatures handed in

Here

California: Upland recall allegedly lead to move from at large to district based system

The recall attempt was against Council members Carol Timm, Gino Flippi and Debbie Stone. This seems to throw a wrench in the plans.

California: Fraudulent Signatures charges filed in Salinas Recall

The failed recall of Salinas School Board trustee Janet Barnes in 2014 has some late collateral damage -- Maria Del Toro has been charged with submitting fraudulent names on a petition. She faces up to three years if convicted.

Idaho: Boise County Clerk recall fails to hand in signatures

The recall against Boise County Clerk Mary Prisco failed, as petitioners did not file signatures. They claim to have missed the 843 signatures by 86. The recall was over two separate thefts by city employees (one for $47,000, the other for $1,700). The recall proponents included her former chief Deputy clerk.

Red more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/election/article74439607.html#storylink=cpy

Idaho: Claims on campaign finance dark money spending shake West Ada School Board recall

We've previously seen this problem in Idaho -- essentially, all spending on a recall can be hidden. Now, we're seeing this in West Ada School Board recall. 

Wisconsin: Milwaukee County D.A. facing primary threats from Walker proponents

District Attorney John Chisholm is facing threats in the primary race over the John Doe prosecution,

Michigan: Barnes County School Board recall fails

The attempt to recall Barnes County North School Board President Lori Carlson and board member Anne Osborne failed, as petitioners didn't hand in signatures. Petitioners needed 32 signatures to get on the ballot.

Alaska: North Slope Borough Mayor files to replace self in special

North Slope Borough Mayor Charlotte Brower, who was ousted last month in a recall, is filing to run in the special election to replace her. It's not clear if that is legal yet.

Colorado: No signatures handed in against Bent County Sheriff

The attempt to recall Bent County Sheriff Dave Encinias has failed, with petitioners not handed in. Petitioners needed 262 signatures.

Florida: Tierra Verde Community Association member faces petitions after missing meetings

Board member Robb Versandi is facing petitions after missing all four board meetings since his election. 196 signatures were handed in against him.

Philippines: Allegations that 2011 Samar Governor recall led to Calbayog City Mayor murder

The daughter of slain Calbayog City Mayor Reynaldo Uy, who was killed on April 30, 2011, is claiming that Samar District Representative Milagrosa Tan and others during a recall of Tan in his position as Samar Governor.

Missouri: Columbia Councilwoman recall abandoned

The recall attempt against Councilwoman Laura Nauser over her discussion of a high voltage transmission line has been abandoned. Petitioners needed 60 new signatures to get over the 408 signature hump.

Michigan: Honor Village President removed

Honor Village President Dennis Rodzik was kicked out of office right after he was cleared of criminal charges of embezzlement. Can't see the vote totals yet. Rodzik claims that he will sue, though his argument seems not to have any legs.

Former Trustee Bill Ward won the seat 79-13.