Wisconsin: Editorial calling for end of recall

This was written in the wake of the La Crosse City Council President recall.

California: Fontana school board petitions handed in

Petitions have been handed in for the recall of Fontana Unified School Board members Leticia Garcia and Sophia Green. Petitioners handed in more than 11,000 signatures, significantly more than the 7,905 needed.

The two school board members have that Mayor Acquanetta Warren is behind the recall, with Garcia threatening a run for mayor.

Arizona: Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio facing recall threats

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is now facing a threatened recall race -- apparently by the same people who lead the successful recall of Senate Majority Leader Russell Pearce. 

The chances of this get on the ballot are very slim -- they would need 335,317 valid signatures in four months (25% of turnout). If it actually worked, it would represent the fourth most signatures ever collected for a recall (The other three are California Governor Gray Davis and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and LG Rebecca Kleefisch). Arizona voters did succeed in getting a recall against Governor Evan Meacham on the ballot in 1988, though that effort required less total valid signatures. Looks at the Pearce recall signatures -- many were invalid. Similarly, we saw a Phoenix City Council recall were the error rate was over 50%.

According to the article, the recall supporters are expecting $1 million cost (almost certainly on the low side), and are looking to pay petition gatherers $1.75 to $2 per signature. 

Colorado: Resignation letter from Teller County Clerk and Recorder

Here's the letter -- she resigned following a bi-partisan recall effort. Here is another story on it.

Wisconsin: La Crosse City Council President Easily wins recall race

La Crosse City Council President Audrey Kader easily beat back her recall challengers, winning a largest enough total in the primary to head off a general election. Kader got 196 votes (73%), while the other two candidates got 42 and 26 votes.

Wisconsin is the only state that has a primary, however, if one candidate gets an absolute majority of the vote in the primary, than there is no general election.

Louisiana: No petitions handed in for Gibsland Aldermen recall

No petitions were handed in for the recalls of Gibsland aldermen Marketris Jones and Timmy Cato. Petitioners would have needed 273 signatures (out of 682 voters). The two aldermen have opposed the mayor, especially on financing issues. Another Alderwoman, Katherine Mixon, resigned during the recall collection, though the report claims it was for health reasons.

Kentucky: Fairview School District may vote to "recall" utilities tax

This is more of an initiative  than a recall. The voters of Fairview school district are trying to recall a 3 percent tax on utilities to finance a refurbishment of the high school. Two similar attempts were shot down by voters in 2005 and 2007.

Texas: El Paso City Council tries to gut recall law

Following the failed recall attempts against the Mayor and City Council, El Paso has a city council is considering changes to the charter, and the recall law. Essentially, they are taking a two pronged approach to drive a stake through the heart of the recall.

The big one (though not mentioned in the article) is an attempt to turn the city into a malfeasance standard (or  judicial recall) jurisdiction:

In specifying the reasons for a recall and removal on the petition, the petition shall set forth distinctly and specifically grounds showing or tending to show some ground of incompetency or unfitness for or misconduct or malfeasance in the office

Second propose change will also potentially drastically limit recalls. They are proposing changing the signature requirements from 20% of turnout to a percentage of total registered voters (oddly, they do not specify the number).

Idaho: Blackfoot plagued by rumors and reports of rumors

Strange article, talking about rumors of a recall that hasn't even gotten a petition. Seems like its the school board.

Idaho: Mullan Mayor, Councilman recall scheduled for March 12

The language for the recall of Mullan Mayor Mike Dunnigan and Councilman Dan White, scheduled for March 12, has been submitted.

Non-Recall Op-ed in The Week on Gaming the Electoral College

Here

Wisconsin: La Crosse City Council President defends tenure

Here

Florida: More on the embattled Tamarac City Commissioner Patte Atkins-Grad

Here

Texas: Firing of Rio Grande City Manager leading to recall talk

The City Council's decision to fire the city manager and temporarily replace him with the mayor, has led to talks of a recall. The City Manager was originally suspended due to a drunk driving charge. 

Colorado: Teller County Clerk resigns under threat of bi-partisan recall

Well, that was quick. Yesterday we saw news that there was a bi-partisan attempt to recall Teller County clerk and recorder “JJ” Jamison. Today, after the papers were filed, Jamison announced she is resigning.

West Virginia: Editorial opposing Salem recalls

Apparently, enough signatures have been handed for a recall of four members of the Salem city council. As other jurisdictions have learned, a massive recall of legislators can present quorum problems, especially in a jurisdiction calling for appoint of replacements.

Interestingly enough, there is also an election for these seats on June 4th.

Maine: York Selectman facing recall petitions

Selectman Ron Nowell is facing recall threats, joining Chairwoman Mary Andrews and Vice Chairman Scott Fiorentino in potentially facing a recall election.

Petitioners need 641 signatures (10 percent gubernatorial turnout).

Petitioners are calling for the firing of Town Manager Rob Yandow, who is being blamed for a stalled police station project.

There does seem to be a dispute between the different council members:

At a selectmen meeting Jan. 14, Andrews told Nowell he wasn't working with the board, but rather "dropping bombs" of information on them.

Mississippi: Choctaw Tribal Council votes to lower recall requirements

They are lowering the percentage of votes for a successful recall from 75 percent to 60 percent in the case of Tribal Council representatives and the Tribal Chief.

Texas: Killeen holds hearings on new charter, with revised recall provisions

Following the 2011 Killeen recalls, the city is debating a new charter. Among the provisions that will affect recalls is a new rule that only people living in a council members district can vote on the recall.

Arizona: Law to repay legislators for recalls introduced again

Here -- it failed last time.