Michigan: Petitioners appeal judge's ruling rejecting recall effort against Lakeshore Public School Board

Petitioners are appealing a Judge decision to uphold a clerk's ruling that they did not get enough signatures to force a recall against Berrien County' Lakeshore Public School Board President Jason Beckrow and Secretary Rachel Wade.

The recalls were part of a large group of efforts against Berrien County officials, all over board members support for mask policies designed to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Petitioners needed 2156 valids for each. They handed in 2388 for Becrow and got 2052 valids and 2400 for Wade, with only 2019 found valids. Numerous people signed the wrong petition form (not the municipality that they are registered to vote in) and some of the addresses were filled out by someone else.

Colorado: Walsenburg Mayor and Councilmembers up for May 16 vote

Walsenburg Councilmembers Mayor Charles Bryant and Councilmembers Veronica Maes, Nick Vigil and Carmen Lara are facing recall votes on May 16. 

Councilmember Greg Daniels made the ballot as well, but resigned. 

An earlier effort against Bryant and two other council members, Ricky Jennings and Don Martinez, failed to make the ballot. Bryant is protesting the recall. 

The issue seems to be an internal battle in the government and the mayor has encouraged the recall effort against what he calls a "culture of corruption" saying they need a "hard reset." Apparently, the mayor and  Jennings (who is mayor pro tem) are on one side of the aisle. 

Mississippi: Does the state actually have a recall law? An examination

I wrote this op-ed in the Magnolia Tribune on Mississippi's quasi-recall law, which is somewhat similar to Virginia's Recall Trial law. I would call this a recall, though so limited that it probably has never been used. Here's the key points:

Mississippi is arguably one of these states that possess a recall law. The Magnolia State currently has a law that allows for a quasi-recall against county officials, though there is disagreement as to whether it counts as a recall law, with students of the recall generally ignoring the state in their listing.

Under this provision, voters can petition the governor to remove a county official. The governor then appoints three chancery judges to decide if the official should be removed for “failing, neglecting or refusing to perform any of the duties required…” If the judges find against the official, a special election is held, and an absolute majority of the qualified voters in the district need to vote in favor of removal for the official to be kicked out of office. The governor then appoints a temporary replacement, and another special election is held within 60 days to fill the slot.

This law is extremely restrictive, arguably more so than any other recall law in the country. The amount of signatures needed, 30% of registered voters, is very high (though Louisiana had a higher number – 33 1/3% for some officials, though they lowered it for state-level ones). Most jurisdictions use numbers closer to 25% of voter turnout in the last election, a naturally much lower figure. Requiring an absolute majority of qualified voters to cast ballots voting in favor of kicking out the official is not a provision that usually exists in the US, though other countries have a similar “absentee veto” type of requirement. Idaho’s law requires the vote in favor of removal to top the total amount of votes that the official received in the original winning is rare, but again that is quite likely a smaller number than Mississippi requires.

The oddest feature is somewhat similar to other states. Seven states have a malfeasance standard or judicial recall law, which requires that the official violated a statutorily delineated set of laws in order to be eligible for removal. In those states, a judge or election official rules on whether such a violation has occurred. Mississippi’s law, which doesn’t specify a violation of a law or showing of incompetence but rather an amorphous refusal to perform the duties of office, is at once more and less restrictive than other states. It is frankly not clear how it works in practice.

Maryland: Group pushing for expansion of recall in Baltimore

 Unfortunately, I can't open this article, but it is about expanding the recall in Baltimore. 

California: Documentary out on Santa Clara Judge Recall

Looks like there is an MSNBC documentary (The Recall: Reframed) coming out on March 19 on the recall of Santa Clara Judge Aaron Persky, with a focus on how whether it increased punitive punishment.

Colorado: Petitions approved against two Dacono Councilmembers

Petitions have been approved against Dacono Councilmembers Jim Turini and Jackie Thomas over their votes to remove the city manager. Two other councilmembers are not facing a recall effort. Kathryn Wittman is facing reelection in November and Danny Long is still in the six-month grace period. 

Petitioners need about 200 signatures.

Michigan: Petition language approved against Otisco Township Supervisor and Treasurer

Petition language has been approved (though "reluctantly") for the recall of Otisco Township Supervisor Desmond Pike and Treasurer Paula Byrne over complaints about spending and passing the same budget as the last year (as well as complaints about office hours and other issues). Previously petition language had been rejected. 

Petitions are also being taken out against Clerk Lynda Sower. 

Former township treasurer Cara Johnson, who lost to Byrne in the 2020 Primary, filed the petitions. All three are Republicans. Petitioners need 260 signatures.

Update: The petition against Sower has been withdrawn.

Washington: Death threats reported in Richland School Board recall effort

Death threats have been reported against the petitioner in the recall effort against three Richland School Board members Semi Bird, Audra Byrd and Kari Williams, over their vote to make mask mandates optional, which allegedly violates a state law that mandated masks to fight the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Washington State Supreme Court has approved the recall effort, which because Washington is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state, needed a showing of a violation of state law. Petitioners would need at least 5000 signatures each. 

Texas: County Commissioners Court Board Throws out Tarrant County Appraisal District Board Chair

Not the traditional recall here (as voters are not casting the ballot, but another elected body is making the decision), but worth noting: Tarrant County Commissioners Court recalled and removed Appraisal District Board Chair Kathryn Wilemon, who had already resigned last week after the Keller City Council voted in favor of a recall. Wilemon was accused of locking residents out of board meetings; sending complaints of a local tax consultant and conflict of interests.

Michigan: Keene Township Supervisor and Treasurer on the May 2nd recall ballot

Keene Township Supervisor Robert Simpson (R) and Treasurer Kara Albert (R) are facing a May 2nd election day recall vote over a proposed solar energy project being zoned. 

This is the second effort against them. Petitions were filed last year against Simpson, Albert and Trustees Harvey Noon and Corey Wojcik, but they did not make the ballot. Noon has since resigned. inate candidates for either position by that same deadline.

Simpson has been in office for 14 years. 

Louisiana: Judge in New Orleans Mayoral Recall signed recall petitions

A new twist in the recall effort against New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. Petitioners finally turned over the signatures to media outlets (though under Louisiana law they will not be made public). There are now reports that Judge Jennifer Medley, who approved the deal that lowered the signature threshold by 5000, is one of the signers of the petitions. 

Note that we saw something like this in Wisconsin in 2012, though that judge was not ruling on the recall itself but on a controversial voter ID law. There seems to be no law against this, nor any real ethical questions, as this article notes that the judge has the same political rights as other citizens, even if it doesn't appear to be a good look.

Michigan: Petitions language approved against two Pere Marquette officials

Petition language has been approved against Pere Marquette Township Supervisor Jerry Bleau (R) (though one of three were rejected on factualness grounds. Petitions were previously approved against Treasurer Karie Bleau (R) over complaints about lack of leadership, difficulty with employees and accounting practices. Jerry Bleau said that he believes the issue was clean-up of blight at a Recycling factory. The Bleaus are married. 

Petitioners would need 343 signatures to get on the ballot.

North Dakota: Grand Forks City Council President facing petitions

Grand Forks City Council President Dana Sande is facing a recall effort, seemingly over the effort to bring a corn mill to the town (plan was killed after the Air Force called in a national security threat, due to the fact that it was owned by a China-based company and near an air force base). Petitioners need 1318 signatures by May 25. 

Petitioner Kevin Wilson is planning on running for the seat. He seems to have moved into town in June.

It seems like the last recall in the city was against Councilmember John Hoff in 2000.

Louisiana: Newest twist in New Orleans Mayor Recall as SoS agrees to strike names from rolls just for recall counting purposes

Lots and lots going on in the fascinating New Orleans LaToya Cantrell recall effort. After filing a lawsuit looking to remove voters from the rolls in order to lower the amount of signatures needed to get on the recall on the ballot, petitioners and the Secretary of State (though not the Registrar) have come to a deal that will not actually remove anyone from the rolls, but will (phantom-runner style) strike 25000 names just for the purpose of the recall, thereby lowering the number of signatures needed by 5000. There seems to be no particular reason for that number (petitioners were asking over 30K. No word yet on whether Cantrell will appeal (she is exploring all options), though if she doesn't, probably time for some new lawyers.

 Note this attorney pointing out that the Secretary of State needed to set the number in August. Here's the Secretary of State blaming the Governor on what is a national issue over complaints about voter rolls (and its use in voter suppression efforts). 

Cantrell herself has gotten into a bit of pr mess, as she discussed "flipping the bird" at a parade, though let's see what happens. 

Here's a Q&A I did on the recall with WDSU. 

Michigan: Burton City Councilmember facing petitions

Burton City Councilman Greg Hull is facing a recall effort following a guilty plea and a three-day jail sentence for operating a vehicle while impaired.

Update: The petitions were rejected due to erors and are being refiled. 

Arizona: Petitions taken out against Cochise County Supervisors

Petitions have been taken out against Cochise County SupervisorTom Crosby (R) over his refusal to certify the November votes of the county due to baseless claims of election deniers. The two folded after a judge stepped in. Petitioners would need to get 4865 signatures to get the recall on the ballot.

There was also discussion of a recall against Peggy Judd (R), though her vote to certify may have warded this off. 

North Dakota: Bismarck School Board Member resigns in face of recall effort

Bismarck School Board Member Emily Eckroth has resigned from the school board after petition were taken out over a confrontation with police during a DUI traffic stop (she cursed out the police and urinated in the back seat of the patrol vehicle). Her husband, who lost a legislative primary, was stopped (but not charged). She pled guilty to a misdemeanor. The school board has already voted to censure her. Petitioners needed 2709 signatures in 90 days to get to the ballot.

Louisiana: Signatures handed in for New Orleans Mayoral Recall effort

Petitioners have handed in signatures seeking the recall of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, over complaints about a failure to put New Orleans first as well as recent revelations over her travel expenses, including a $17,000 flight to Paris.

In what may be an ominous sign for petitioners, they haven't released the number of signatures handed in. There may be another reason -- not giving Cantrell a number to try to hit to trigger the signature strike law that I discuss way below.

They need to 49,975.2 (20% of registered voters) to get on the ballot, though early reporting mistakenly listed 53,353 valid signatures  (an updated list dropped 17,000 voters from the rolls). The recall petitioners are actually trying to beat down that total, claiming that 30,000 additional voters should be dropped (which would cut the signature requirement by 6000). So will this be enough and what about Louisiana's odd signature gathering overtime law?

Let's go back a little and give you some details on Louisiana and the recall:

Louisiana has not been a big recall state, primarily because the law used to be so imposing, requiring signatures from 33 1/3rd registered voters to get on the ballot. This was arguably the highest requirement in the country (though the state gives a generous 180 days to gather those signatures). The law was changed to lower the total to 20% of registered voters -- still higher than many places with their 25% of voter turnout, but significantly more doable. 

That said, Louisiana has had at least 8 officials face a recall since 2011, with 5 being removed and 3 surviving the vote. The last three have survived the vote. Additionally, 5 officials have resigned in the face of recall threats. Here's the full lists of recalls (but not resignations) in Louisiana history and some recent history in this article. No other state has that, so thank you very much, Secretary of State's office.

We're not going into each of these recalls, but I want to look at four specific attempts to get a handle on the state's signature validation rate. 

The most recent recall election took place against Franklinton Alderman Heath Spears in 2022 (Spears survived the vote). Petitioners handed in 921 signatures, and 737 were validated (an 80% validation rate). 

The recall attempt against Mansfield Mayor Curtis McCoy in 2016 failed with 1045 signatures handed in an 799 validated (76.5% validation rate) -- (another official faced a recall vote, but I'm not sure how many were actually handed in).

St. Martinville Councilman Dennis Paul Williams in 2018 saw 428 signatures handed in, with 337 approved (a 79% validation rate). This did not get to the ballot. 

Port Allen Mayor Demetric "Deedy" Slaughter was kicked out in a recall in 2013. Petitioners handed in 1521 signatures and got 1387 valids (needed 1273), for a 91% validation rate. 

In these posts, I examine recalls in California and elsewhere throughout the country. The two most prominent recalls, California Governors Gray Davis and Gavin Newsom, saw 18-19% signature failure rate. While there have been recalls with much higher rates (Arizona State Senate saw a 42% failure rate) and much less (Colorado's State Senate recall had a 6%, though using rules unavailable elsewhere), we see that a cushion of 20%+ is generally needed to give a good chance of success. In this case, under the close to 50K needed, that would be 60,000 signatures. 

Sabrina Wilson at WVUE-TV pointed out that the state has a very unusual law, where it allows people to sign or remove their names from the petitions for five days or prior to certification (whichever is earlier). Many states have a strike law -- in fact, a Newport Beach, CA Council member used just such a law in 2017 to get a recall off the ballot. Some states have a cure law -- where petitioners have time to correct mistakes in the signing process. But I'm not sure if other states give additional time to collect signatures after the tape is crossed (I see that New Mexico may allow it, but I'm not sure). We'll see if that matters. 

Michigan: Gun group threat state legislative recalls over red-flag and background check laws

Michigan State Senate and House members are being threatened with recalls for proposals that would require criminal background checks for gun purchases and would adopt red-flag laws in the wake of the latest school shootings. The Great Lakes Gun Rights group is claiming that they would launch recalls. Democrats currently have a two-seat majority in both houses. Gun control issues have been a source of recalls in the past. 

North Carolina: Oak Island Town Council recall reportedly ended

The recall effort against Oak Island Town Council members John Bach, Mark Martin, Sheila Bell and Charlie Blalock has reportedly been abandoned. Petitioners submitted less than 500 signatures in the recall efforts against  About 220 have been verified. Petitioners need 2050 signatures by February 27 (25% of registered voters), so perhaps they will have a last-minute push (or are holding them in reserve). The recall was over a plan to improve paid beach parking.

Louisiana: New Orleans Mayor Recall Signature Cushion question -- How many signatures will they actually need to clear the hurdle?

Petitioners are now claiming that they need only 1029 additional signatures to get the recall of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell on the ballot before the February 22nd deadline. Cantrell has faced complaints about a failure to put New Orleans first as well as recent revelations over her travel expenses, including a $17,000 flight to Paris. 

The stories are not clear if they are counting in the cushion needed to get over the signature rejection rate, which we will get into below.

The signature requirement seemed to have dropped from an original estimate of 53,353 valid signatures needed to 49,975.2 (all 20% of registered voters). The 3,368 voter drop is due to an argument that there were fewer "active and eligible" voters in the Parish, specifically, 17,000 voters haven't updated their addresses and haven't voted in the last 10 years. The recall petitioners have since filed to try to drive the number even lower, claiming that 30,000 additional voters should be dropped (which would cut the signature requirement by 6000).

Louisiana has not been a big recall state, primarily because the law used to be so imposing, requiring signatures from 33 1/3rd registered voters to get on the ballot. This was arguably the highest requirement in the country (though the state gives a generous 180 days to gather those signatures). The law was changed to lower the total to 20% of registered voters -- still higher than many places with their 25% of voter turnout, but significantly more doable. 

That said, Louisiana has had at least 8 officials face a recall since 2011, with 5 being removed and 3 surviving the vote. Additionally, 5 officials have resigned in the face of recall threats. Here's the full lists of recalls (but not resignations) in Louisiana history. No other state has that, so thank you very much, Secretary of State's office.

We're not going into each of these recalls, but I want to look at four specific attempts to get a handle on the state's signature validation rate. 

The most recent recall election took place against Franklinton Alderman Heath Spears in 2022 (Spears survived the vote). Petitioners handed in 921 signatures, and 737 were validated (an 80% validation rate). 

The recall attempt against Mansfield Mayor Curtis McCoy in 2016 failed with 1045 signatures handed in an 799 validated (76.5% validation rate) -- (another official faced a recall vote, but I'm not sure how many were actually handed in).

St. Martinville Councilman Dennis Paul Williams in 2018 saw 428 signatures handed in, with 337 approved (a 79% validation rate). This did not get to the ballot. 

Port Allen Mayor Demetric "Deedy" Slaughter was kicked out in a recall in 2013. Petitioners handed in 1521 signatures and got 1387 valids (needed 1273), for a 91% validation rate. 

In these posts, I examine recalls in California and elsewhere throughout the country. The two most prominent recalls, California Governors Gray Davis and Gavin Newsom, saw 18-19% signature failure rate. While there have been recalls with much higher rates (Arizona State Senate saw a 42% failure rate) and much less (Colorado's State Senate recall had a 6%, though using rules unavailable elsewhere), we see that a cushion of 20%+ is generally needed to give a good chance of success. In this case, under the close to 50K needed, that would be 60,000 signatures. 

Massachusetts: Darmouth's Prudential Fire District Commissioner facing recall effort

Prudential Fire District 2 Committe member Robert Bouley is facing recall efforts over what seems like a fire chief's job (I can't open the article). Numerous firefighters have already pushed for a no-confidence vote.

Florida: Crescent City Commissioner facing recall efforts

Petitioners are out for the recall of Crescent City Commissioner Cynthia Burton, though Burton is currently suing to dismiss them. Petitioners need 151 valids for the recall to get on the ballot. The issue is complaints about a sunshine law violation, though it was over a vote to abolish the police department (which took place two years ago).

California: San Mateo Mayor facing recall effort

San Mateo Mayor Amourence Lee is facing a recall effort over complaints about her leadership and tactics. Petitioners would need about 9000 valid signatures. Lee was elected in a citywide race, though San Mateo has now moved to a district-based system. Five former mayors are supporting the recall effort.

Update: The recall seems to be about housing issues.

North Carolina: Oak Island Town Council members facing petitions

Petitioners have submitted less than 500 signatures in the recall efforts against Oak Island Town Council members John Bach, Mark Martin, Sheila Bell and Charlie Blalock. About 220 have been verified. Petitioners need 2050 signatures by February 27 (25% of registered voters), so perhaps they will have a last minute push (or are holding them in reserve). The recall was over a plan to improve paid beach parking.

Maine: Signatures handed in against Madison Selectman (Ousted in recall vote)

Signatures have been submitted for the recall of Madison Selectman Glen Mantor, who is facing a recall effort over a decision to hire a full-time code enforcement officer.  It seems like the partner of the code enforcement officer is one of the leaders of the recall effort.

It sounds like petitioners have hit their 200-signature mark and the recall would go to the ballot on March 7.

Update: Mantor lost the recall 209-154. Shawn Bean won the replacement race.

Mississippi: Proposal to add modified recall law for municipal officials loses in the House

The House voted down 53-60 H.B. 370, a bill proposed by Representative Shanda Yates (I) to allow recall elections for municipal officials in Mississippi. The idea seems to have come about after fights between Jackson's Democratic Mayor and the Republican Governor over water problems in the city.

I wrote an op-ed on the subject of recalls in Mississippi -- hopefully, it will come out (if not, I'll run it here). Here's a previous look back on the law.

Washington: Supreme Court greenlights recall against three Richland School Board members

The Washington State Supreme Court has approved the recall effort against three Richland School Board Semi Bird, Audra Byrd and Kari Williams, over their vote to make mask mandates optional, which allegedly violates a state law that mandated masks to fight the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. 

A lower court judge approved the petitions.

Because Washington is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state, the judges would have to approve the petitions as showing a violation of state law. Petitioners would need at least 5000 signatures each. 

College: Brown President survives recall vote

Brown Undergraduate President Ricky Zhong survived a recall vote with 83% in his favor (1659-329). The recall was over changes to the student government laws.

Texas: Denton City Council member recall set for May 6th, setting up reelection/recall on same ballot

The recall against Denton City Council member Jesse Davis has been set for May 6th, resulting in an unusual (though not unprecedented) event -- two races for one candidate. Davis' two-year term ends in May and he is already seeking reelection on that same election, so he would just lose office for a brief time (though presumably, this would help in an attempt to defeat the reelection run). 

The recall seems to be a reaction to the removal of Councilmember Alison Maguire in November (Maguire's attorney is a volunteer representing the petitioners).

Petitioners needed 254 valid signatures to get on the May ballot. 

California: Charges filed against petitioners in failed 2019 Buena Park City Councilwoman recall effort

The recall proponents who pushed the 2019 recall of Buena Park City Councilwoman Youngsun "Sunny" Park (D) are facing criminal charges of lying to election monitors and falsifying documents. They apparently forged the signatures of the petition gathers (though the article notes some ambiguity if they forged the actual signatures of voters as well). Charges were filed against three defendants, who all pled not guilty (two of them seem to now live in Nevada).

The recall effort failed, as petitioners handed in 2106 signatures, but had 700 tossed out + 82 for duplication). Park was charged with allegedly stealing campaign signs that claimed she was a "carpetbagger." Park has since stepped down to unsuccessfully run for county supervisor. 

Missouri: Ferguson Councilmember kicked out in recall

Ferguson Councilmember J. Toni Burrow was kicked out in a recall 326-139. The council will select a replacement. The recall was over her battles with the former city manager, who first temporarily resigned and claimed discrimination for his sexual orientation.

Burrow was running in the April 4 mayoral election, but the recall bars her from city office until the end of her term in 2024. No word on what will happen.

Louisiana: Lawsuit allows release of signatures of New Orleans Mayoral recall petitions

A lawsuit by the Capital City Press (owners of some of the biggest New Orleans papers) has been settled, which will allow reporters to receive the names of signers of the petition against Mayor LaToya Cantrell.

States have a split on whether signatures are releasable. As we saw in the two most noteworthy recent recalls, California bars it, Wisconsin allows it. 

Georgia: Bill looks to change District Attorney recall signature requirement to 2% of registered voters

Georgia Bill 231, sponsored by Representative Joseph Gullett (R) is looking to change the rules for recall of District Attorneys, radically cutting the amount of signatures needed for a recall from 30% to 2% of registered voters. 

Oregon: Eugene School Board member facing recall effort

Eugene School Board Member Laural O'Rourke is facing recall efforts over complaints about her behavior in a board meeting during an event to honor the women's volleyball team. O'Rourke has called the effort racial harassment.

New Jersey: Plumstead Township Representative facing recall effort

Plumstead Township Representative Dominick Cuozzo (R) is facing a recall effort over claims that he "harassed and discriminated against women and LGBTQ persons and spending taxpayer money to settle personal grudges."

Petitioners need 1650 signatures in 160 days. 

Arkansas: Constitutional Amendment proposed for a recall

Arkansas House Representative Fran Cavenaugh (R) has proposed HJR1003 to adopt the recall for state officers. I'm not clear from the language on whether it would be a straight-up yes or no vote or instead a new election. 

Arkansas has a long history with the recall, including adopting it in 1912, where it was thrown out on a technicality. 

Massachusetts: Charlemont considers recall provision

Charlemont is sending a recall provision to the annual town counsel for potential adoption at the meeting. The provision mimics a recall provision in Colrain.  The recall would require signatures of 10% of registered voters to get a recall on the ballot (the town currently has 945 registereds). The election would be a two-step process, with an up or down vote on the recall, with a replacement vote on the same ballot. The removed official cannot run to replace themselves. 

There is also a six months grace period at the start of the term and the official cannot be appointed to a town position for a year after removal.

California: Downey Councilmember ousted in recall vote

Downey Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Catherine Alvarez was blown out in the recall ellection 2587-318 (though more votes may come in). The recall is reputed to be over Alvarez's failure to disclose her criminal history, where she was arrested for welfare fraud and shoplifting. The recall was backed by leaders of both parties.

Petitioners handed in 4700 signatures and 3881 were found valid. They needed 3471. Notably, at the moment more people signed the petitions than voted.  

Here was a good explainer of the recall effort by Joe Brizzolara from the Downey Patriot, who has been all over this recall effort for years.  

This was the second effort against Alvarez  The first petitions came 35 signatures short of qualifying (Petitioners handed in 4,016 signatures and need 3454 valids). 

Update: Here's a look at the replacement race timeline (seems like it will stay open till November).

California: Santa Ana City Council members facing police union-led recall effort

Santa Ana City Council members Jessie Lopez and Thai Viet Phan are facing recall efforts led by the police union over a labor contract. The contract reportedly doesn't met the union pay-raise proposals. The recall chairman cited a 2021 rent control policy as the reason for the recall. The recall effort comes after progressives won four council seats in 2020. 

The union backed a 2020 recall vote against Council member Cecillia Iglesias, who was kicked out.

Louisiana: Big donor revealed in New Orleans Mayoral recall effort

One developer appears to be responsible for most of the $488K funds raised for the recall effort of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell on the ballot. Richard Farrell, a big GOP donor to Trump, has been the backer of the recall. Petitioners recently claimed they were 15,000 signatures short of the 53,353 valid signatures needed to get the recall on the ballot (though that is probably not including failed signatures). 

Cantrell has faced complaints about a failure to put New Orleans first as well as recent revelations over her travel expenses, including a $17,000 flight to Paris. Petitioners have 180 days (late February) to get the signatures.

Michigan: Petitions rejected against Kalamazoo County Treasurer

A petition against Kalamazoo County Treasurer Thomas Whitener was rejected on factualness/clarity grounds. The recall effort is over claims that millions of dollars are not being invested, a backlog of processing receipts and no investment reports presented to the board. Former Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners Chairman Mike Quinn has been pushing Whitener to resign.

Alaska: Hoonah Mayor survives recall vote

Hoonah Mayor Gerald Byers seems to have survived a recall vote 110-172. Byers was facing the recall over claims that he used racial slurs at a council meeting and harrassed Alaska Native elders.

Colorado: Two Cripple Creek Councilmembers ousted in recall (based on preliminary totals)

Two Cripple Creek Council members Mark Green and Charles Solomone appears to have been ousted in a recall vote, though the Solomone may still change based on outstanding ballots. Green lost 55-33 and Solomone was 45-41. 

The recall is over a plan for a gift shop at the heritage center, with accusations that the city department will compete with private businesses as well as complaints that they aren't connected with the community. 

Mayor Milford Ashworth and Councilwoman Melissa Trenary signed the petitions. Bruce Brown received 51 votes in the replacement race for Brown. Jared Bowman appears to have won the Solomone replacement race.

The article notes that Cripple Creek hasn't had a recall in two decades, but there was one for a school board member in 2019.

South Dakota: Bill proposed to allow school board recalls

South Dakota has proposed a bill to require school board members throughout the state to face potential recalls. This version is a modified malfeasance standard, as it includes "oppression" and "gross partiality." Petitioners would need 15% of registered voters. Senate Bill 96 has been introduced by conservative members who are focused on school board issues.

Canada: Petitions taken out against British Columbia MLA

MLA Dan Davies (Peace River North) is facing petitions over claims of being absent and failing to notify constituents. Petitioners would need 10,487 signatures by April 4. 

Update: The petition effort failed.

North Carolina: Oak Island Town Council members facing petitions

Oak Island Town Council members John Bach, Mark Martin, Sheila Bell and Charlie Blalock are facing recall threats over a plan to improve paid beach parking. Petitioners need 2050 signatures by February 27 (25% of registered voters)

Wisconsin: Petitions taken out against Sparta School Board members

Petitions have been taken out against Sparta School District Board Members Nancy Sikorski and Eric Soldberg over their vote to reinstate a mask mandate to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Massachusetts: Winthrop Town Council considers adopting recall provision

Winthrop Town Council is debating potential charter/ordinance changes including adding in a recall provision.

Florida: State Representative sponsors bill for expansion of recall to all county commissioners

Florida State Representative Dr. Joel Rudman (R) is proposing a recall of county commissioner law for the State. This is the third year that he has sponsored the bill (House Bill 209). The bill would expand the recall to 47 of 67 counties. 

There is some discussion that the law could target supervisors of elections, though supporters denied that.

Some good background on the state's recall law (which does not allow for state legislative recalls). In 1968, a law passed that allowed 20 chartered counties and the Jacksonville/Duvall County (a municipal county) to allow recalls of county officials. These recalls require a malfeasance standard/judicial recall showing of cause. Florida does have political recalls in some local jurisdictions. 

There have been similar bills introduced in 2021 and 2022. A Senate bill in 2022 sponsored by State Senator Joe Gruetens would have allowed recalls of all county constitutional officers. 

Update: The bill has been dropped.

Update 2: Seems that the bill has been reported out of committee. Seems to still have some committees to pass before it gets through.

Texas: Denton City Council member recall makes the May ballot, potentially setting up reelection/recall on same ballot

It seems signatures have been validated in the recall effort against Denton City Council member Jesse Davis. The article said that the council will vote on holding the election in May.

The recall seems to be a reaction to the removal of Councilmember Alison Maguire in November (Maguire's attorney is a volunteer representing the petitioners).

Petitioners needed 254 valid signatures to get on the May ballot. However, Davis' two-year term ends in May and he is already seeking reelection on that same election, so he would just lose office for a brief time (though presumably, this would help in an attempt to defeat the reelection run). 

Ohio: Cleveland Councilwoman Recall effort fails after signatures rejected

A recall effort against Cleveland Councilmember Stephanie Howse failed, seemingly with no signatures handed in. Former Councilmember, Basheer Jones, who faced a recall effort in 2018, was tied to the recall. The recall seemed to be over a cut in funding for specific nonprofits.

Petitioners handed in 641 signatures and needed 535. They got only 165. 

UK: Labour Party member suggests full recall law for parliament

A Labour Party MP Richard Burgon (and former Shadow Minister has proposed a new bill allowing for voters to recall the entire parliament with a new general election. Under the proposal, at least half the total voters in the last election need to sign, and the recall can only take place after a long grace period (at least halfway through the 5 year term).

Iowa: Proposed Constitutional Amendment adopting recall passes subcommittee

Iowa is now looking at a proposed Constitutional Amendment adopting the recall for all officials (it has passed a subcommittee). The proposed law would require 25% of turnout for the governor's race in that district to get on the ballot and would include a one-year grace period. They would use a special election model (ala Wisconsin), with a new race for the office. The targeted official would be included in the race. It looks like Senator Cherielynn Westrich (R) is the prime backer. The amendment needs to pass a second legislative session in 2025 or 2026 before being voted on by the voters. 

Georgia: Lula Mayor and Councilmember facing recall threats

Lula Mayor Joe Thomas and Councilmember Gene Bramlett are facing recall threats over claims of intimidation and retaliation. City officials have been hit with two investigations in the last six months.

Colorado: Signatures validated against four Walsenburg Councilmembers

The recall effort against Walsenburg Councilmembers Greg Daniels, Veronica Maes, Nick Vigil and Carmen Lara has gotten on the ballot. 

The efforts against Mayor Charles Bryant and two other council members, Ricky Jennings and Don Martinez, failed to make the ballot.

Daniels got 102 signatures, 95 valid (needed 75). Maes got 91-84-75, Ward, 97-89-75, and Vigil 92-84-75. 

Only 52 signatures were turned in for Bryant (they needed 231) and 15 against Jennings (needed 78) and 29 against Martinez (78 needed). 

There is still a recall efforts against Bryant, which Daniels Lara and Vigil are both a part of. We'll see what happens. 

The issue seems to be an internal battle in the government and the mayor has encouraged the recall effort against what he calls a "culture of corruption" saying they need a "hard reset." Apparently, the mayor and  Jennings (who is mayor pro tem) are on one side of the aisle. 

Kansas: Goddard Mayor facing petitions

Goddard Mayor Hunter Larkin is facing petitions after managing to pull off a "coup" and get himself put back in as mayor, and then fire the City Administrator. 

Larkin was previously mayor, but left the job after a DUI and to run for the legislature. However, he retained his city council seat. This week, he and all of the other councilmembers voted to remove the current Mayor and (after further machinations), Larkin replaced him. 

A candidate who was nominated to fill a City Council vacancy has started the recall campaign.

Louisiana: Petitioners need at least 15K signatures for New Orleans Mayor recall

Petitioners now claim they are 15,000 signatures short of the 53,353 valid signatures needed to get the recall of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell on the ballot. Cantrell has faced complaints about a failure to put New Orleans first as well as recent revelations over her travel expenses, including a $17,000 flight to Paris. Petitioners need 53,353 signatures (20% of registered voters). Petitioners have 180 days (late February) to get the signatures.

California: Was the Davis recall the start of a new California leadership model?

A look back and forward from Joe Mathews on the impact of the 2003 recall and the growth of the idea of the Governor as a global trendsetter.

North Dakota: Petition language approved against Bismarck School Board member

Petition language has been approved against Bismarck School Board Member Emily Eckroth over a confrontation with police during a DUI traffic stop (she cursed out the police and urinated in the back seat of the patrol vehicle). Her husband, who lost a legislative primary, was stopped (but not charged). She pled guilty to a misdemeanor. The school board has already voted to censure her. Petitioners need 2709 signatures in 90 days to get to the ballot.

Ohio: Three petitions out in East Cleveland following last year's recall effort

East Cleveland Council President Korean Stevenson and Councilmembers Juanita Gowdy and Patricia Blochowiak are facing recall efforts over the complaints about council appointments and the city budget. This fight seems to arise out of last year's recall and replacement battle. 

Former Councilmember Che Gadison is one of the petitioners.

California: Paso Robles School Board member facing petitions

Paso Robles School Board member Joel Peterson is facing a recall effort over complaints about how he was appointed. The previous board member, Kenney Enney, was removed over similar appointment complaints. 

Virginia: Portsmouth Council members recall claims 5000 signatures

Petitioners claim they have 5000 signatures for the recall effort against Portsmouth Vice Mayor De'Andre Barnes and Councilmember Mark Whitaker over a vote to fire the city manager and replace her with the former police chief.

This article notes that petitioners need 30% of turnout (which would be 9032), though a previous piece noted that needed 10%.

Virginia: City Council kills effort in Portsmouth to create Malfeasance Standard to limit recalls

The attempt to change Portsmouth's recall law has been stopped by a new supermajority of the city council.

There was a push last year to change the Portsmouth's recall law, which would have created a malfeasance standard/judicial recall law, requiring specific statutorily delineated grounds (approved by a judge) for the recall to move forward. 

The previous effort was killed in the House of Delegates, with Delegate Tim Anderson (R), who supported a recall effort against Senate President Pro Temp Louise Lucas (D) last year, credited with stopping the proposed law.

At the time of the effort, there was a new recall effort against Portsmouth Vice Mayor De'Andre Barnes and Councilmember Mark Whitaker over a vote to fire the city manager and replace her with the former police chief.

Portsmouth is the site of the first (that I know of) two-time recall loser, Mayor James Holley (in 1987 and 2010) and a failed effort against Mayor Kenny Wright in 2016. 

California: Beverly Hills School District recall fails

The recall attempt against Beverly Hills Unified School District Board Members Noah Margo, Amanda Stern and Mary Wells has ended, with petitioners not handing in signatures. The recall was over the firing of a wrestling coach after a video showed him pushing a student. 

Kansas: Mayor ouster/City Administrator firing leads to recall threats against city council members

Following the removal of Goddard Mayor Larry Zimmerman and the firing of the City Administrator, there is now talk of recalling the new mayor and other members of the city council. Zimmerman was kicked out as mayor (which is an appointed position of the council) and then resigned from the city council. Former Mayor Hunter Larkin took back the job. 

Former Goddard City Council member Mike Proctor is calling for Larkin's recall. No word on whether petitions will be taken out.

Nebraska: Schuyler School Board member kicked out in last Nov recall vote

Missed this one last year, but Ballotpedia got it --  Schuyler Community School Board member Guadalupe Marino was kicked out in November 8 recall vote 662-584. Still not sure why the recall happened.

Florida: West Palm Beach Mayor facing recall efforts

West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James is facing a recall effort led by a candidate who was just tossed off the ballot after being declared ineligible to run for mayor against him. A judge ruled that Rodney Mayo cannot run for Mayor because he was not a resident of West Palm Beach for six months before the election. Petitioners would need about 3500 signatures to get on the ballot.

Texas: Huntsville Mayor and City Council members facing recall effort over library fight

The Mayor and City Councilmembers in Huntsville are facing recall threats after removing LGBTQ displays from the library, closing off public comments and hiring an outside management company to run the library. Here is an editorial supporting the recall effort. 

Colorado: Lawsuit thrown out over sign removal in 2020 Elizabeth recall

A lawsuit over the removal of signs in a 2020 recall was tossed out by a judge. Elizabeth Mayor Megan Vasquez and Trustee Tammy Payne both survived a recall vote on April 7, 2020. Former Trustee member Jason Weiss, who ran against Vasquez, sued over the removal of his sign by the police.

Two other trustees in 2019 were kicked out in a recall, Elizabeth Trustee June Jurczewsky and Trustee Rachel White. 

The recall was launched over the Mayor and Councils' support for development proposals.

Swaziland: Recall legislation proposed

Here

Texas: Four Harker Height Council members facing recall threats over marijuana proposition vote

Harker Heights Councilmembers Sam Halabi, Michael Blomquist, Tony Canterino and Jennifer McCann, are facing recall threats over their opposition to a Proposition that decriminalized marijuana possession (in a specific amount). The Proposition passed the city, but the council voted 4-1 to repeal it over arguments that it violated state law. 

Massachusetts: Barnstable County Commissioners reject recall proposal

Barnstable County Commissioners rejected a move against passing along a proposal for a recall election provision to the state legislature. The Assembly of Delegates had previously passed the bill. The recall would have had a malfeasance standard and required at least 120 signatures, with at least 20 from each of five county municipalities for its first stage and then 3 percent of registered voters (with 50 from each county) to get on the ballot.

Recalls have been discussed since 2017 in the county.

Maine: Paris' Oxford Hills School Board Members kicked out in recall vote

Paris' Oxford Hills School Board members Sarah Otterson and Julia Lester lost recall votes 333-243, though Lester already resigned from the position. 

The recall was over their support for a proposal to promote a "safe learning environment of students of all gender and sexual identities." Recall proponents arguing that the proposal would "allow teachers to withhold important information from parents."

700 signatures were turned in, though the recall seems to have a significant issue in that it is not clear that the town has the ability to initiate the recall because the school district serves multiple communities. No word on how that works out or whether the person who replaced Lester would be removed by recall (presumably not, though I'm not sure why it went forward at that point.

Update: Christie Wessels was appointed as the replacement for Otterson.

Canada: Petitions approved against British Columbia Premier

Petitions have been approved against British Columbia Premier David Eby, an NDP MLA, over the passage of a Health Professions and Occupations Act. Petitioners would have to get 16449 signatures to get on the ballot. If this is met, the position is declared vacant and a by-election is held (UK has a similar provision). The petitioner has called Eby a dictator and claimed that he violated the Nuremberg code. 

No recall has gotten to the ballot in BC history.

Previous articles have noted that this would be the 28th recall petition taken out since 1995, though there have been no recall elections held. Only six have been turned in with signatures. Five failed to get enough signatures, and the MLA resigned during the verification process in the sixth. Notably, two petitions were taken out against former BC Liberal Premier Gordon Campbell (in 1998 and 2003), who represented the same Vancouver-Point Grey district as Eby. Petitions were not handed in for either.

Maryland: Perryville adopts recall provision

Perryville's Town Commissioners adopted a recall election process passed at a town meeting. Mayor Matt Roath was the only vote in opposition. Under the law, petitioners would need signatures from 20% of registered voters. Officials would have a grace period of three months at the start of their term and four months at the end. Oddly, only one official can be recalled at a time. Not sure how that would work in practice.

North Dakota: Bismarck School Board member facing petitions

Bismarck School Board Member Emily Eckroth is facing a recall effort over a confrontation with police during a DUI traffic stop (she cursed out the police and urinated in the back seat of the patrol vehicle). Her husband, who lost a legislative primary, was stopped (but not charged). She pled guilty to a misdemeanor. The school board has already voted to censure her. Petitioners need 2709 signatures in 90 days to get to the ballot.

Maine: Hermon School Board members threatened with recall over votes against book restriction proposal

A recall attempt is being threatened against five Hermon school board members, Jesse Keith, Kristen Shorey, Debbire CoWallace, Shannon Knowles and Stephanie Oiler, who voted against restricting access to library books containing sexual material. Petitioners would need 827 signatures to get to the ballot.

Hermon kicked out three school board members in 1999 over the creation of a new administrative position and the firing of an ROTC instructor.

Illinois: Pekin Council rejects referendum for recall law

Pekin City Council rejected a referendum for the April ballot asking for a municipal recall law. The article notes that Mount Prospect has a recall law that is now subject to a lawsuit. The article notes that Illinois doesn't have a recall law, which would be a surprise to a former city councilmember in Buffalo Grove. Rockford also has a recall law, and Dolton just underwent a recall fight (though the courts ruled against the bizarre version of the law). 

Wisconsin: Discussion of school restructuring in Wausau reminiscent of 1992 school board recall

 A plan to restructure the Wausau Schools has led to remembrances of the last attempt in 1992, which lead to the recall and removal of five school board members. 

Mississippi: Proposal to add modified recall law for municipal officials

Legislation has been proposed by Representative Shanda Yates (I) to allow recall elections for municipal officials in Mississippi. The idea seems to have come about after fights between Jackson's Democratic Mayor and the Republican Governor over water problems in the city.

The article notes that recalls are allowed for county officials, but not muncipial ones. Generally, I (and others) consider Mississippi to be one of the few (10) states without any recall law at all. What the article is refering to is a provision where voters can petition the Governor to remove County officials Mississippi code 25-5-7. This is someone similar to Virginia's recall trial law, but because it's a Governor, it seems a step removed. 

The plan, which does not seem to be a constitutional amendment, would create a malfeasance standard. Petitioners would need the signatures of 30% of registered voters and, in a real innovation that I haven't seen elsewhere, the the governor would appoint three muncipial judges to decide if "there is a substantial basis for a recall election." Again, this is a code of the Mississippi County law. 

Making matters even harder, there is an absentee veto provision -- half of the voters in the city would have to vote for the recall to count. So, we'll see what happens here. 

Update: Note state Senator John Horhn refers to it as a "tall order" to pass.

Texas: Petitions out against Denton City Council member

Petitions have been taken out against Denton City Council member Jesse Davis, which seems to be a reaction to the removal of Councilmember Alison Maguire in November (Maguire's attorney is a volunteer representing the petitioners).

Petitioners need 254 valid signatures to get on the May ballot. However, Davis' two-year term ends in May and he is already seeking reelection on that same election, so he would just lose office for a brief time (though presumably, this would help in an attempt to defeat the reelection run). 

Oregon: Turner City Councilmember appears to lose January 3rd recall vote

Votes from January 3rd seem to be overwhelmingly in favor of removing Turner City Councilmember Mark McCracken. We're still waiting for final results, though the numbers seem to be 2-1 against McCracken. There will be a replacement race on May 16.

The recall was over complaints about bullying behavior and his support for the expansion of an urban growth boundary and opposition to a school bond. The big issue seems to be negative comments he apparently made on a Facebook group about a neighborhood child with brain cancer. Petitioners got 157 signatures. 

Washington: Look back at 1911 Seattle Mayoral Recall

A look back at one of the first big recalls in the US, Seattle Mayor Hiram Gill in 1911 over corruption issues. Gill was elected back to the job in 1914. This article looks at the role of newly enfranchised women in his removal.

Michigan: Petitions taken out against two Pere Marquette officials

Petitions have been taken out against Pere Marquette Township Supervisor Jerry Bleau (R) and Treasurer Karie Bleau (R) over complaints about lack of leadership, difficulty with employees and accounting practices. Jerry Bleau said that he believes the issue was clean-up of blight at a Recycling factory.

The petitions will go to the county election commission for a clarity/factualness review. Petitioners would need 343 signatures to get on the ballot.

Oregon: Morrow County Commission still working through ramifications of recall vote

The fallout from the Morrow County Commission recall continues, though the lack of a quorum issue seems to be solved.

The state uses a recall law that involves an appointed rather than elected replacement model. Morrow only had one member on the council and could not have meetings without a quorum to approve bills. 

The two officials, Jim Doherty (1319-1169) and Melissa Lindsay (1248-1237) lost the recall election held on November 2 though they waited for postmarked and challenged ballots). Lindsay's term is over at the end of the year. 

The recall seemed to be about the firing of a county administrator (who is now suing the county for wrongful termination), ambulance service issues and nitrate contamination. 

Michigan: Petitions against Three Cottrellville Township officials rejected on clarity/factualness grounds

Recall petitions against three Cottrellville Township officials, Supervisor Mary Agnes Simons, Clerk Cheri Quinn and Treasurer Beverly Kopec, were all rejected on clarity/factualness grounds. The recall effort seems to be about a utility bill issue, specifically a $650 water application service bill that was never paid. Petitioners said that they would refile.

Update: Petitions were rejected again.

Michigan: Petitions against three Sandusky School Board members rejected on clarity/factualness grounds

Petitions against three Sandusky School Board members, President Jason Trepkowski, Treasurer Daniel Gerstenberger and Trustee Jane Jacobson were rejected on clarity/factualness grounds. The recall is over a decision to rename the school mascot from the Redskins to the Wolves (the rejection was over language that said that 88% of respondents in a poll were in favor of the old mascot).

Update: The petitions have been approved.

Michigan: Emmett Charter Township Trustee and Supervisor facing petitions

Emmett Charter Township Trustee Jim Mead is facing petitioners over claims of being counterproductive and disruptive. After the clarity/factualness hearing, Petitioners would need 1211 signatures in 60 days to get on the ballot.

Supervisor Deb Belles is facing petitions over claims that she hired a felon as a code enforcement officer, hired a zoning administrator without Township Board approval, bullying and misusing Chick-Fil-A "Local Hero" gift cards (she was given 25 of them -- worth $11,154 -- for public safety officials, who received only eight of them. She apparently has not accounted for the other 17).

Maryland: Nine Columbia Association Board members facing petitions

Columbia Association Board members Eric Greenberg, Virginia Thomas, Dick Boulton, Lin Egan, Brian England, Janet Evans, Alan Klein, Bill Santos and Andrew Stack are facing recall threats over the belief that they will try and remove the Association President Lakey Boyd who petitioners are claiming is a more inclusive leader. The board has 10 members (though one seat seems vacant), with a representative from each village. No word on how many signatures are needed or the time frame required. 

Arizona: Losing Arizona Gubernatorial candidate calls for recall of Maricopa County Board of Supervisors

Losing Arizona Gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake (R) is calling for the recall of the entire Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Bill Gates, Clint Hickman, Jack Sellers, Thomas Galvin and Steve Gallardo, because of her complaints about her losing the 2022 election. Lake specifically attacked Chairman Bill Gates (R) and Recorder Stephen Richer (R), two Republicans who both narrowly won election in 2020, though no word on whether she or others will actually try to lead a recall effort. Gates has had to go into an "undisclosed location" due to threats on his life. 

I believe petitioners would need over 91,000 valid signatures to get the Gates recall on the ballot. 

Arizona: Former Arizona Senate President who was kicked out in a recall dies

Former Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce, who was kicked out in a 2011 recall, died last week.

Colorado: Two Cripple Creek Councilmembers face January 24 recall vote

Cripple Creek Council members Mark Green and Charles Solomone are facing a January 24th recall vote. The recall is over a plan for a gift shop at the heritage center, with accusations that the city department will compete with private businesses as well as complaints that they aren't connected with the community. 

Mayor Milford Ashworth and Councilwoman Melissa Trenary signed the petitions. Bruce Brown and Jared Bowman are running to replace the two.

The article notes that Cripple Creek hasn't had a recall in two decades, but there was one for a school board member in 2019.

Washington: Supreme Court to rule in February on recall effort against three Richland School Board members

Washington State Supreme Court is holding a February 9th meeting to rule on whether to overturn a decision by a lower court judge approving petitions against three Richland School Board Semi Bird, Audra Byrd and Kari Williams over a vote to make mask mandates optional, which allegedly violates state law that mandated masks to fight the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. They are planning to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Because Washington is a malfeasance standard/judicial recall state, the judges would have to approve the petitions as showing a violation of state law. Petitioners would need at least 5000 signatures each. 

California: Orange County School Board members targeted in recall effort

Orange Unified School Board Members are facing petitions after firing the school superintendent with no explanation. I did not see the full list of members being targeted, but presumably it will include Madison Klovstad Miner (who helped flip majority control of the board) and Rick Ledesma. The school board members are part of a conservative 4-3 majority and the firing was over complaints about policies to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and critical race theory. 

New Hampshire: Proposed Constitutional amendment to add recall law for the state

New Hampshire legislators Representative Michael Moffett (R) and Senator Kevin Avard (R) are proposing a recall amendment to the state's Constitution. This looks like the amendment, which is short on details.

California: Newsom's turnout much better in recall than in 2022 election

Not a surprise here, but turnout for the 2021 recall of California Governor Gavin Newsom was much greater than the 2022 election. The no vote on recall got 7.944 million votes in 2021, while Newsom got 6.47 million in 2022. As we've mentioned before (and was apparent in the 2003 recall campaigns) turnout can be much higher for a recall. In a very unusual election where Democrats did great in some states, but also did very poorly in some big states (notably NY and Florida), perhaps the Republicans could have missed an opportunity to at least perform better in November had they not tried the recall. 

Nevada: Former Las Vegas Councilwoman who was target of recall appointed judge

Former Las Vegas Councilwoman Michele Fiore (R), who was the target of a prominent failed recall effort, has been appointed as a justice in Nye County. Fiore, who ran for state Treasurer this year, is not an attorney, which has led to a good deal of criticism. 

The recall was launched over racially charged comments Fiore made at a Republican Convention as well as her backing of converting an historic hay barn into an events center at Floyd Lamb State Park.

Petitioners submitted 567 signatures half way through and needed 1911 to get on the ballot. Petitioners did not hand in the remainder of the signatures after Fiore said she will "go look them up on social media."  State law requires that the signatures be submitted, though it is not clear what happened.

Ohio: East Cleveland recall leads to appointment fight

The strange East Cleveland recall isn't ending just yet, as the city council appointed three different people to fill the seat that was opened with the recall of Ernest Smith (never got a clear answer on the legality of the law director's attempt to stop the recall of Mayor Brandon King, though he survived the vote anyway). Three council members appointed Lateek Shabazz to fill the board seat, but that was found to violate the open meeting laws. The City Council President then appointed Jackie Goodrum, who was ineligible as she is a public employee. Finally, Mark McClain was appointed. However, council members insist that Shabazz is supposed to fill the seat, so expect more fights on this one. 

Texas: Alice City Council recalls fails

The recall effort against four Alice City Council members, Robert Molina, Pete Crisp, Ron Burke and Sandra Bowen, failed as petitioners did not hand in signatures. They claim to have the signatures, but are suggesting that the city attorney would hold it up.

Three former mayors signed on to the recall effort. The recall seemed to be about a kitchen sink of complaints.