Louisiana: Dueling editorials on changes to recall law

The Times Picayune has a very detailed editorial agreeing with the recent bill looking to cut the number of signatures needed to get on the ballot (the piece does cite me).
The Houma Courier takes a different tack, feeling that a recall should be tough to get on the ballot.

Wisconsin: State Superintendent for Education battle includes debate on whether candidates signed Walker recall petitions

Here

Colorado: Otis Town Council recall scheduled for April 10 (Update: Now the 4th)

The recall against Otis Town Councilmembers Jesse and Sue Stackhouse, Lana Rogers, Lacie Denney, Jennifer Brandon and Linda Bethel was scheduled for April 10.

The petition was started by a former board member, Leon Payne. The issue seemed to be a heated debate over an executive session.

Update: The election was changed to April 4.

Tennessee: State Senator files legislation to give Rutherford County recall law

Senator Bill Ketron is introducing a bill giving Rutherford County the ability to hold recalls, though it will be limited to officials who were indicted on felony charges. The issue came to the fore over former-Sheriff Robert Arnold's indictment (and later guilty plea) for extortion, wire fraud and honest services fraud.

California: Orange County Register editorial calls for potential recall of Orange Coast College Trustees

A brouhaha in Orange Coast College has led for an editorial calling for the Board of Trustees potential recall. A student recorded an instructor during class making negative comments about the election of Donald Trump, including calling it an "act of terrorism" and then calling on students who voted for Trump to stand and be counted. The student was then punished for recording on school grounds without consent and required him to write a letter of apology and three page essay before returning to class.

The editorial calls for the student to be reinstated with an apology and for the instructor to be reprimanded.

Wisconsin: Green Bay Mayor survives council vote for removal; Recall next?

An attempt to remove Mayor Jim Schmitt (R), who was convicted of three campaign finance violations, from office failed by one vote, with the council voting 8-4 for removal (the council voted 9-3 for finding enough cause for removal, but Alderman Randy Scannell switched his vote). Schmitt is now likely to face a recall effort.

Oregon: Push to allow impeachment for Governor

Here

Rhode Island: Providence Councilman recall signed by "who's who"

A list of former senior officials, including two former state senators, have signed petitions to get a recall against Councilman Kevin Jackson on the ballot following his indictment for embezzlement.

Texas: San Angelo City Councilman facing recall threats over alleged targeting of Hispanic police officers

Councilman Bill Richardson is being hit with calls to resign and discussion of a recall, including with supportive comments from the mayor, after Richardson posted a complaint with a Hispanic police officer on Facebook. Richardson asked non-Hispanic officers to keep a written record of their interactions with Hispanic police officers. Richardson, who was elected in May 2016, is now facing recall threats from the San Angelo Law Enforcement Spouses Association.

Louisiana: State Representative looks to open up recall process

State Representative Paul Hollis is getting set to introduce a bill for the new legislative session that should make it easier to get a recall on the ballot. Hollis is apparently looking to lower the signature requirement for recalls in larger jurisdictions, potentially by changing the law to the voter turnout requirement from 33 1/3 percent of eligible voters.

Virginia: Charlottesville Vice Mayor facing petitions for recall trial over tweets; dispute over signatures needed

Vice Mayor Wes Bellamy is facing petitions for a recall trial over some controversial tweets he made between 2009 and 2014 that led him to leave a teaching position and resign from the Virginia Board of Education.

Jason Kessler, the leading petitioner is a blogger who is accused of being a white supremacist (he has a Pepe the Frog symbol on his site, though he denies the racist charge) and targeting Bellamy because he is the only African-American on the city council (in the story, he calls Bellamy a "race pimp.")

One of the speakers against Bellamy ,GOP gubernatorial candidate and Prince William County Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Corey Stewart,  focused on Bellamy's vote to remove a statute of Robert E. Lee from Lee Park as "politically correct madness."

There does seem to be a dispute on the number of signatures needed to get to the judge. Virginia law requires signatures totally 10% of the total number of votes cast in the last election for the office. The debate is over whether the signature total is for the total number of votes cast in the 2015 City Council election (which was 15,798 -- meaning 1580 signatures needed) or just those that Bellamy received (which was 4688 -- meaning 469). Kessler claims that it should be the lower number.

We've discussed Virginia's peculiar recall trial law in the past. It doesn't seem likely that this charge would meet the narrow criteria that judges use to allow a recall trial to go forward. Note the Loudoun County Supervisor attempt.

Louisiana: State Senator Resigns in face of expulsion and recall threats

State Senator Troy Brown (D) resigned instead of facing an expulsion vote or a threatened recall. Brown twice plead no contest for domestic abuse charges.

Nebraska: Table Rock Village Board member facing petitions

Petitions have been filed against board member Wayne Schulenberg. The story is behind a paywall, so we'll have to wait for more details.

Comanche trial petitions ask for recall

Here

Colorado: Otis Town Council recall on hold

Otis Town Council members are facing a potential recall threat, though the effort has been put on the backburner due to other issues. Councilmembers Jesse and Sue Stackhouse, Lana Rogers, Jim Weibers and Linda Bethel are facing petitions. The only other council member has recently been appointed.

The petition was started by a former board member, Leon Payne. The issue seemed to be a heated debate over an executive session.

Washington: State Senate recall paperwork filed

Petitions have been filed against state Senator Doug Ericksen, who is working for the transition team at the EPA while he still serves in the state Senate.

Colorado: Federal Heights Mayor survives recall vote, Mayor Pro Tem resigns

Mayor Daniel Dick (405-658) survived a recall over his support of a Residential Inspection program.

Mayor Pro Tem John Hamlin also faced a recall, but he resigned prior to the election (he is moving out of town).

Texas: Keller Mayor who survived recall vote declines to run for reelection

Mayor Mark Mathews, who survived a recall vote in May, won't be running for reelection. He served one three-year term,

Arizona: Three Whetstone Water District Board Members facing May recall vote

Board President Tim Sulger, and members Leonard Howell and Robert Tinney are facing an upcoming recall election on May 16. Sulger is accused of violating open meeting laws, threatening the health of water customers and failing to obtain board approval before working on a repair with a private contractor. The recall is led by one of three employees who the board fired on January 25

Petitioners needed 74 signatures, they got 76 for two and 79 for Sulger. The recall is slated to cost about $3000, which Sulger calculated as $75 per customer.

Washington: State Senator facing recall effort over position on Trump's Transition Team

State Senator Doug Ericksen is facing a recall effort over his role as communications director for the EPA for the Trump transition team. According to the report, Ericksen, the Senate Energy, Environment and Telecommunications Committee Chair,  has missed at least 75% of committee meetings this session (since January), though it's unclear how many actual meetings that is. Ericksen claims that his committee is among the most productive in the Senate.

Washington is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state, and it is definitely very questionable that this would meet the for cause part of a recall petition. A Judge will have to decide that next. If it does go forward, petitioners would need 18,061 signatures in six months. An editorial in another paper calls for Ericken to resign.

California: Santa Clara Judge recall out-raised Judge by 5-1

The recall effort against Judge Aaron Persky over a Stanford student sexual assault sentence has seen a significant fundraising. Stanford professor Michele Dauber, who is leading the recall efforts, has raised $323,785, with donations from co-founder of Linkedin and the CEO of CrowdPac. Persky has raised $64,618.

Virginia: Editorial on Recall Trials in Petersburg

Petersburg Mayor Samuel Parham and councilman (and former mayor) Howard Myers are both facing recall effort. The editorial is focused on the very odd recall trial law that Virginia uses, and recommends a bill proposed by Delegate Richard Anderson that would create a recall election law.

Oklahoma: GOP Stephens County Treasurer calls for recall law

Steve Fair, the Stephens County Republican Party treasurer, has an op-ed calling for a recall law. He notes the recent resignation of a Tulsa legislator over sexual harassment charges. The article is a straightforward look at recall laws.

California: One candidate in replacement race for Oakdale Irrigation District board seat

The April 25 special election against Linda Santos has only one replacement candidate, Nate Ludlow. A second candidate dropped out after she claimed vandals were outside her home.

South Dakota: Mitchell Mayor hearing recall threats

A look at South Dakota's recall law following "heated exchanges" between Mitchell Mayor Jerry Toomey and residents, one of whom Toomey called the man ran several stoplights (the resident called Toomey a drunk) and the other is the owner of a janitorial supply company who claims that Toomey's personal vendetta led to bid issue.

The state has a malfeasance standard/judicial recall requirement, so there has to be a showing of cause. Petitioners would need 1455 signatures to get one on the ballot.

Canada: Former CBC reporter calls for recall law

Here

Louisiana: Parish Presidents facing recall efforts show part of the challenges in Louisiana politics

The two recall efforts are front and center in this story. The push against Jefferson Parish President Mike Yenni over inappropriate text messages sent to a 17 year-old boy is still going on, though petitioners need 90,000 names.

The second recall, against Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa is on hold until hearing from a grand jury. Matassa has been accused of trying to bribe a candidate to drop out of a city council race.

Myanmar: New Recall bill proposed

Here

West Virginia: Huntington Mayor facing recall effort:

Mayor Steve Williams is facing a recall effort led by Steven J. Davis, who was a former Republican candidate for mayor. The issue seems to be claims of tax increases and lay-offs.  It sounds like they may need a charter change to get a recall on the ballot.

Colorado: Crawford Mayor survives recall vote

Mayor Wanda Gofforth beat back a recall vote 99-79 (55%) on Tuesday. Gofforth, who won the office in April by one vote, was launched over allegations that she wasted taxpayer money in attorney fees and violated open meeting laws. The candidate that Gofforth between in April, Gil Saunders, was the only candidate running in the succession race.

Oregon: Lincoln Mayor recall effort fails

No petitions were submitted in the recall effort against Mayor Don Williams. Petitioners needed 456 signatures to get on the ballot.

Arizona: Buckeye Water Resources Director resigns

The rise in water bills has been the source of a recall effort against Buckeye Mayor Jackie Mecks. Petitioners have until March 22 to hand in signatures.

Texas: Hearne City Council refuses to schedule recall of councilmember

The city council was stymied by a tie vote in its effort to set a date for a special election (and the general election). Councilman Rodrick Jackson, who is facing a recall effort in the special, claims the petition was illegal. The fight will now go to a judge.

We've seen this happen a number of times in Texas.

Pennsylvania: 19,000 signatures for online US Senator Toomey recall petition

Outside of online petitions being worthless for electoral purposes, the article notes that Pennsylvania doesn't have a statewide recall law and, of course, that US Senators may not be subject to recalls. The article is a bit too strong on that point -- as I've said in the past, I imagine the US Supreme Court would rule 9-0 that federal officials can't face recalls, but I've been wrong plenty of times before. One other thing to note -- 19,000 signatures is not that much for a recall of a federal officials.

Nevada: Signatures handed in against Storey County Sheriff

597 signatures were handed in for the recall of Sheriff Gerald Antinoro, who is being blamed for the cost of legal settlements due to his managing style. He has also been accused of sexual harassment. Petitioners need 477 verified.

North Carolina: Look back at the Statesville City Council Recall of 1963 over swimming pool integration

Here's a look back at move to recall all six members of the Statesville (at the time, the City of Progress) after their vote to integrate the city's two swimming pools. There's a particular focus on Verna Cline. The council were all voted out.

Texas: Recall effort against El Paso Represenative called off

The pettion effort against Representative Cortney Niland has been called off, though petitioner claims to have gotten more than the 719 signatures needed for a recall. Family health issues have prevented Niland from attending city council meetings since early January. The issue prompting the recall was a decision to build a Triple A stadium,

Lumbee Tribe Chairman facing recall effort

Chairman Harvey Godwin Jr. is facing a recall effort over transparency and "unfulfilled promises." Petitioners need about 1300 signatures to move forward. More info here.

Japan: Local assemblies reject 16 referendums, including recall effort against Yakushima Mayor

A municipal government building costings about 2 billion yen led to a referendum to rethinking the spending, which was not brought up for a vote. Petitioners than tried to removed Yakushima Mayor Koji Araki, which needed 33.3% of residential voters, which residents narrowly failed to get.

Massachusetts: Westford Selectmen recall doesn't move forward

An attempted recall of Westford Selectmen Andrea Peraner-Sweet and Mark Kost has not moved forward since the affidavits were rejected because they were neither notarized or signed under penalty of perjury. The recall effort was over legal settlement allowing an asphalt-manufacturing plant.

Rhode Island: 2600 signatures handed in for recall of Providence Councilman

Petitioners handed in over 2600 signatures for the recall of Councilman Kevin Jackson over his arrest for embezzlement and campaign finance violations. They still had a month more to collect signatures. They need 2070 valids.

Georgia: Former Meigs Mayor found guilty of credit card fraud

Mayor Linda Harris, who was kicked out of office in a recall after her indictment, has been found guilty of credit card fraud. Harris took credit cards to buy supplies and hold a Christmas party after the city council voted down the party. The spending was $138. 

Florida: Stuart Mayor facing recall threats over referencing police officer as a pig

Mayor Eula Clarke is facing threats and a push for her resignation from the other four city commissioners after walking into a grocery store where the police officer was talking to a clerk and reportedly saying, "I didn't know we were serving pig tonight." She has since apologized.

North Dakota: Bismarck Mayor hits back on issue of pipeline protestors

Mayor Mike Seminary, who is facing recall threats over infrastructure issues including the expansion of an event center, is now being criticized for welcoming opponents of the Dakota Access Pipeline to a mayor session. Seminary noted that the event help pump $4.1 million into the local economy.

Louisiana: Lafourche Parish Council holding no-confidence vote in Parish President

Lafourche Parish President Jimmy Cantrelle is facing a no-confidence vote after posting to social media on the council saved money on a health insurance policy, but his critics say that it didn't explain the rate increase. Cantrelle is also criticized for firing the parish administrator. So far, there has only been mention of a recall, but no organized effort.

Venezuela: President reported to have turned over some powers to VP

Here

New Mexico: Petition filed against four Tucumcari commissioners

Tucumcari Commissioners, including Mayor Pro Tem Robert Lumpkin, Commissioner Amy Gutierrez, John Mihm and Ralph Moya are facing recall threats after a trucking company was fined for having unused trucks and equipment on the street.

Massachusetts: Two Shirley Selectmen ousted

Shirley Selectmen Bob Prescott (825-451) and Kendra Dumont (832-422) lost their seats in a recall on Monday. Both ran in the replacement races, and lost again. Jim Wilson beat Prescott 830-477 and Holly Haase beat Dumont 872-434. No real explanation for why Prescott and Dumont got more votes in the replacement race than in the recall.

The issue was a board vote to increase health benefits for the town administrator after a Town Meeting rejected a pay increase.

New York: Voters discover no recall for Rochester City Court Judge accused of drunken run-in with security guard

Rochester City Court Judge Leticia Astacio was nearly pepper sprayed in a bathroom as well as a drunk driving charge and has not been allowed to preside in court or appear in non-public areas of the courthouse. But only the State Commission on Judicial Conduct can take her out.

California: Three San Miguel Fire Protection Board members hit with recall petitions

Fire Protection Board President Theresa McKenna and directors Jim Ek and Mike Vacio were all handed recall notices over their vote to negotiate a contract for dispatching services, a change from the arrangement with Cal Fire. The vote was 4-3.

Petitioners would need about 9,906 signatures.

Update: The petitions were found deficient. 

Georgia: Gwinnett Commissioner recall held up for filing for 6 month grace period

The recall effort against Gwinnett Commissioner Tommy Hunter cannot start filing papers until July, due to the 6 month grace period. Hunter is facing recall threats after calling Congressman John Lewis a racist pig and calling Democrats "demonrats."

No word on the possibility that the recall would be accepted under Georgia's tough malfeasance standard/judicial recall law. If it did get past that stage, they would need 30% of registered voters, so it sounds like something on the order of 38,470 valids needed in 45 days.

Australia: Editorial looks at adopting recall law

Here

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians looking for recall of Chief

Chief Phyllis Anderson is facing recall threats over employment discrimination over political affiliations and fiscal irresponsibility. Petitioners need 40% of registered voters signatures, and must have turn out of 60% for the recall to count.

California: Los Angeles District Attorney facing recall threats

District Attorney Jackie Lacey is facing recall threats following a decision not to file charges against two officers who were involved in the shooting death of Ezell Ford in 2014.

Ohio: Fairfield County Prosecutor states there is no recall law allowing attempt against Lancaster mayor

Lancaster Mayor Brian Kuhn has been under attack after pleading guilty for two counts of attempted failure to pay taxes. Recall attempts have been discussed, but Fairfield County Prosecutor Kyle Witt notes that Lancaster has no recall provision. Fairfield is a statutory city,, which doesn't have recall ability in Ohio law.

Californa: Greenfield mayor loses recall vote

Mayor John Huerta lost the recall with 61% voting against (866 votes). He is succeeded in the replacement race by Jesus OlverGarcia (with 68%). Huerta faced a recall over claims that he doesn't do enough to promote economic development, though the recall also took place after the city council censured him for improper involvement in city government administration and providing improper directives to the city manager.

Turnout was 30.7%.

Huerta barely survived a 2012 recall vote.

California: Two Paradise Irrigation District Board Members kicked out

Turnout was "very low" with 4265 ballots returned out of 17,215 sent out. Larry Duncan (18%-82%) and Sep Carola 21.7%-78%) both lost their seats, with Anne Rice and Marc Sulik replacing themm
The issue was a fiscal crisis over water purity.

This is the second time that Duncan has been recalled -- he lost his seat in 1991 as a town council member over a proposed sewer line.

Texas: Corpus Christi Mayor resigns

Mayor Dan McQueen resigned 37 days into office after facing recall threats over his behavior, educational background and his relationship to his chief of staff.

Kansas: Marion County Commissioner resigns seat

Marion County Commissioner Lori Lalouette resigned (effective March 20) after recall petitions were filed with the county attorney (they are still being reviewed) Lalouette missed 24 meetings and was late for 26 others, which she blames on illness.

Massachusetts: Attorney General finds Shirley Selectmen violated open meeting law

A week before a recall against Selectmen Kendra Dumont and Bob Prescott, the Attorney General found they violated an open meeting requirement during an executive session. The charge was filed by another selectman.

Wisconsin: Scott Walker has raised over $100 million between 2009-2016

Here

North Dakota: Editorial opposes Bismarck Mayor recall

The Bismarck Tribune has an editorial today denouncing the effort against Bismarck Mayor Mike Seminary, noting he has less than 18 months in office and that the criticism is over old complaints.
recall effort. The petitioners would need about 1898 signatures (25% of turnout).

Michigan: Warren Mayor facing recall threats over verbal attacks

Mayor James Fouts, who faced a recall effort in 2014, has been facing renewed efforts for a recall after he is accused of verbal attacks on the mentally challenged, African Americans and older woman.

Petitioners would need 9200 signatures to get on the ballot. More here.

Colorado: Crawford Mayor facing recall efforts

Mayor Wanda Gofforth is facing petitions after admitting to improperly handling a town meeting and being accused of wasting $8,000 on a restraining order for a town employee.

California: Signatures certified against Tulare County Healthcare Board member

Signatures have been certified against Tulare County Local Healthcare District Board of Directors members Dr. Parmod Kumar. Petitioners handed in 1414 signatures. 1180 were valid -- they needed 1049. The issue is quality of care and the current operator, Healthcare Conglomerate Associates HCCA.

Virginia: Petersburg petitions filed against Mayor and councilman

Petitions have been filed against Mayor Samuel Parham and councilman (and former mayor) W. Howard Myers by "Clean Sweep Petersburg." The group had previously said they were going to go after city Treasurer Kevin Brown, but it is not clear why he was no included.

Virginia requires a recall trial and a showing of cause. Petitioners would need 10% of turnout to get to that stage. The article notes that there is a bill in the legislature which would double the signature total to 20%.

California: Editorial opposes Fontana Mayor recall

An editorial in Press Enterprise opposes the potential recall of Mayor Acquanetta Warren as a "big waste of time." The recall effort is alleged about her receiving $100,000 in contributions and her subsidizing other cities with a police helicopter program, as well as attempts to take over control of the school district. Warren pushed for a recall in 2013 against two school board members (which succeed.

Michigan: Yale mayor facing recall effort over police chief suspension

Mayor Richard Busch is facing a recall effort over his suspension of the city police chief for not wearing a bulletproof vest while on duty.

Kansas: Hillsboro County Commissioner facing recall threats

Commissioner Lori Lalouette is expected to decide whether she will resign rather than face a recall over her continued absences. Petitioners seem to have started the recall process.

Massachusetts: Rowley Water Commissioner pushing for records release as part of his recall effort

Water Commissioner Timothy Toomey, who was licked out in a recall last February, is asking for the name of the person who opened the library for a 2015 meeting of his recall push. Toomey is in front of a Superior Court for a ruling on the public records request.

Massachusetts: Holyoke City Councilor proposing recall law

Councilor Nelson Roman proposed a recall law against officials who serve four years, which is the clerk, treasurer and (after the next election), the mayor. The recall would have to be started at least a year before, and require 15 % of registered voters.

Georgia: Gwinnett County Commissioner facing recall threats after calling Congressman John Lewis "a racist pig"

Commissioner Tommy Hunter is facing protesters and calls for his resignation after calling Congressman John Lewis "a racist pig."There is also talk of a recall, though Georgia is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state, so this is unlikely to meet the standard.

Texas: Corpus Christi mayor faces recall threats

Mayor Dan McQueen is facing threats for a recall effort over questions about his educational background and his relationship to his chief of staff.

Massachusetts: Shirley selectmen signed warrant for recall -- to be held on January 30

Here

Massachusetts: Uxbridge approves recall law

Uxbridge passed a recall law at its town meeting 120-30. The town previously passed a law in October, but the state attorney general didn't approve the amendment. This law looks to have the state legislators pass a bill for a charter amendment.

Massachusetts: Uxbridge voting on recall law in town meeting

Uxbridge is voting on a recall law, submitted by petition newly-elected selectman Justin Piccirillo, at town meeting on Tuesday. The recall law would require 100 signatures for the first stage, then would need 75% of turnout from the most recent annual town election. Piccirillo said that approximately 170 communities in the state have a recall law.

California: Orange County Judge awards $100K in attorneys fees to Golden Rain Foundation director whose recalls were overturned

Judge Robert Moss handed down a $95,850 ruling for Golden Rain Foundation director Kathryn Freshley and former director Mary Stone over the recall they faced on November 2, 2015. The issue was a vote to fired a longtime managing agent for the retirement community.

Virginia: House of Delegates looking at state recall law

Delegate Rich Anderson (R) has proposed a recall law for the state -- currently Virginia requires a judge to rule on a recall. Anderson wants to turn recalls into an electoral method.

North Carolina: New Tobaccoville Mayor appointed

Following the recall of Mayor Bill McHone in November, Tobaccoville village council appointed Mark Baker, chairman of the Forsyth County Republican Party, as the new mayor. He was previously on the council before he became a member of the county commissioner.

Ohio: Problems in East Cleveland since recall

Here

Louisiana: Mention of recall against state Senator

Senator Troy Brown (D), who was convicted of two separate domestic abuse crimes against two different women in two different cities, is not resigning. Brown can be expelled, though the article also notes the possibility of a recall.

Massachusetts: Shirley recall before a judge

The recall effort against Shirley Selectmen Kendra Dumont and Robert Prescott is before a superior court judge, though the judge's decision may be too late, as the election is on January 30.

Update: Injunction denied

California: Stanislaus County District Attorney facing recall talk

District Attorney Birgit Fladager (who tried the Scott Peterson case) is facing recall threats from former Mayor and current restaurant owner Carmen Sabatino. Sabatino has gone on the offensive after the arrest of his former attorney and friend Frank Carson (who ran against Fladager in 2014)in a murder case in 2015. Sabatino faced 11 felony fraud charges when he ran for reelection in 2003, which ended in a mistrial. Fladager did not try Sabatino in that case.

California: Fonatana Mayor facing recall

Mayor Acquanetta Walker is facing a recall effort alleging the mayor treats opponents with disrespect and wants to build housing that he opposes.

North Dakota: Recall effort filed against Bismarck Mayor

Mayor Mike Seminary is facing a recall effort over a plan to expand the Event Center. Petitioners would need 1898 signatures.

Colorado: Sedgwick County Sheriff kicked out

Sedgwick County Sheriff Tom Hanna, who was indicted over sexual assault charges filed by a developmentally delayed inmate, was removed in a recall vote 944-89. He was replaced by Deputy Larry Neugebauer (though briefly, Howard McCormick had six jobs, including acting sheriff).

Colombia: Bogota Mayor facing recall effort

Bogota Mayor Enrique Penalosa is facing a recall effort over his privatization proposals, a new push for above-ground public transportation options and health sector reforms. Petitioners would need 271,818 signatures in 6 months (30% of the vote for Penalosa in the last election).

Petitioners would also need 40% of the turnout in a recall vote -- meaning at least 1092229 votes.

There have been 160 failed recall attempts over the last two decades, though a change in law in 2015 made it easier to get a recall on the ballot.

Venezuela: Move to appoint new Vice President made to fight against recall effort

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro may have avoided a recall in 2016, but there is still a chance that he will face one in 2017. However, a recall in 2017 will result in his VP taking over instead of a replacement vote. Maduro is appointing Aragua Governor and former Interior Minister Tareck El Aissami as his vice president.

Louisiana: Jefferson Parish President recall effort claims still trying recall push

Here

California: Leader of recall effort against Santa Clara Superior Court Judge attacks Commission on Judicial Performance review

Stanford law professor Michele Dauber has written a seven-page analysis criticizing a recent state Commission on Judicial Performance review of the six-month sentence handed down against former Stanford swimmer Brock Turner for sexual assault. The Commission held that Santa Clara Judge Aaron Persky did not engage in judicial misconduct in handing down the sentence. You can check out the analysis here.

Oregon: Clatskanie Mayor who survived 2015 recall vote loses mayoral race

Diane Pohl, who survived a 2015 recall vote, lost a reelection run in November to Bob Brajcich.

Oregon: Slander suit from recall effort against Columbia River People's Utility District Director dismissed

Here

Rhode Island: Providence treasurer refuses to pay Councilman's recall legal bills

Providence Treasurer has rejected a request by Councilman Kevin Jackson that the city pay his $30,000 legal fee in a fight against a recall effort. The issue is the Jackson's indictment on embezzlement charges -- he is alleged to take $127,153 from a track and field team.

Massachusetts: Bolton recall law signed by Governor

The recall law was voted in May 2015, though the Governor just signed the law into effect.

120 Recalls in 2016 -- 60 removals, 17 resignations, 42 survive; at least 403 attempts

A week later than I'd like, here's the Recall Elections Blog's annual end of the year stats: In 2016, we had 119 recalls (Edit -- nearly a year later, I've found another to push this to 120 get to the ballot or end in a resignation. The recall once again proved to be a powerful weapon, though not as successful as in last year. Of the 120, 61 were ousted in the vote, and 17 resigned. 42 officials survived a recall vote.

Additionally, one recall got enough signature to get on the ballot and then was withdrawn; one mayor resigned after the recall was rejected by a judge; two other officials resigned after the recall failed to get enough signatures.

This year saw an increase from 2015, which had 108 recalls, and was more in line with 2014 (which, I never actually wrote up), were we had 126 recalls. In 2013, we had 107 recalls. 2012 we had 168, and a 2011 we had 151.

For the third straight year, no state official has faced a recall (though in 2015, the Oregon Governor resigned in the face of recall threats). This is a return to the historic norm. The recall on the state level took off from 2011-2013, but despite the pitch partisan battles, recalls have not been used. There were discussions of recalls against legislators in Nevada and Oregon, but none went anywhere. The Michigan Governor has been a perennial target, but as discussed here, there is little chance or reason for the recall to get moving.

There were two recall attempts that did receive an enormous amount of attention, though neither got on the ballot: The recall threat against Santa Clara Judge Aaron Persky and, on the international stage, the recall against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Arguably the most notable recall was in East Cleveland, where Councilman Thomas Wheeler survived a recall in 2015 and in June, and then was finally ousted in December. I counted at least 402 attempted recalls, so once again, the vast majority of recall attempts do not result in signatures being handed in. Most recall attempts are abandoned.

Some basic stats:

• 13 states had recall elections take place 
• The big recall states were California (13) and Michigan (13) 
• 22 mayors, one vice mayor and one village president faced a recall vote.
• I have not included recalls in Native American territory (I count three, though there may be more), nor do I include HOAs or Senior Living Communities. 

Ballotpedia put out their year-ender on recalls, and the numbers are slightly different. Why the difference? It's not fully clear, but I do have easier access to all of their coverage, so that has to be figure into any fact. The resignations may be an issue of "when do you count a resignation in the face of a recall."  I also would not read that much into the calculation of attempt -- it is frequently not clear if someone took out petitions and there is some overlap between 2015 and 2016. So take that number with a grain of salt, but it does show how often recalls are threatened.

What can we expect in 2017? More of the same. 14 recalls are already on the ballot.

Kansas: Marion County Commissioner facing calls to leave

Commissioner Lori Lalouette is facing calls to resign and this story about a possible recall attempt. Laloutte has been criticized for walking out of meetings, missing 24 meetings and being late for 26 others. Lalouette has claimed illness is responsible.

Petitioners would need 588 signatures (40% of turnout) in 90 days, plus approval by the County Attorney (Kansas is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state).

Ohio: East Cleveland recall leader appointed to city council

Devin Branch, one of the leaders of the successful recall of Council President Thomas Wheeler and Mayor Gary Norton, was appointed to the council to replace Wheeler. Norton had filed assault charges against Branch following the election.

Kansas: Leavenworth Commissioner recall effort fails

The recall effort against Commission Chairman Bob Holland appears to have fallen short -- petitioners needed 2012 signatures. The lead petitioner said he would turn in the signatures, but claimed he doubts he got 500. The issue was claims of a violation of open meeting laws.

California: Signatures handed in for Tulare Regional Medical Center board recall

Petitioners handed in 1375 signatures in the recall effort against board member Dr. Parmod Kumar. They need 1049. Kumar has been in office since 1994. The board sought financing for an expansion tower, though that was defeat and two members lost their seats.

NYT article on online petitions

Here