Wisconsin: Bill proposed to limit municipal and school recalls to criminal or ethical violations

Interesting development from Wisconsin, where they haven't been able to push forward their bill to change the recall from a political recall to a malfeasance standard.  Instead, there's a new bill, introduced by Republican Rep. Jeff Stone, which would change the law for the municipal and school board level positions and require that the official was actually charged a criminal or ethical violation. 

Why doesn't the bill also limit recalls for state-level officials (which the Republicans have been arguing for, so far unsuccessfully)? To change the state level recall would require a constitutional change (one that would have to pass through the legislature in two separate elections, and then be voted on by the voters). Changing the recall for local officials can be made with just one bill. It is also less likely to be controversial, as the local races don't have the same political fight to them.

 We've seen repeatedly that tightening recalls laws to make them more difficult to get on the ballot are very popular with politicians, but not so with voters (here's the one exception that I know of). People may cited questionable poll numbers, but politicians clearly know that they mess with the recall at their peril. 

Colorado: Boulder County Commissioner facing recall threats over drilling moratorium

Boulder County Commissioners Cindy Domenico and Deb Gardner are facing recall threats for their 2-1 vote to let a drilling moratorium end.

Arizona: Arpaio recall bid fails

They did not hand in the petitions, so they clearly didn't hit the 335K signature mark. Presumably, the controversial lawsuit is being dropped as well.

South Dakota: Petitioner claims 6700 signatures in Rapid City Alderman recall

Here. They need 6200.

Arizona: Arpaio signatures due today

We'll see if they hand'em in.

Oregon: Sherwood City Councilor recall -- Math is hard edition

Bizarre error, as the Washington County Elections Division miscalculated the number of signatures needed to get the Sherwood City Councilor Matt Langer recall on the ballot. The number is 1,011. They previously thought it was 704 (15% of turnout for Governor). They counted precinct 425 instead of 435.

This is another Walmart recall effort, as Langer's family has an interest in the land that a Walmart is suppose to be built on.

Colorado: Morse recall petitioners giving out prizes

Like Professor Cronin, I've never heard of this being done. However, there is nothing really negative about it, especially since many recalls and initiative get on the ballot due to the use of paid signature gatherers.

Additionally, here's a AP story quoting me on the recall.

Arizona: Camp Recall Arpaio set up

Arpaio recall supporters are camping out to get signatures until the deadline.

South Africa: Nine ANC Metro Councillors members threatened with removal

I love the article's headline, and may use "the Chop" as a term in the future.

Wisconsin: Questions about the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.

Christian Schneider (conservative columnist who wrote maybe the only examination of the history of Wisconsin's adoption of the recall) takes on the WDC. As to the question of who watches the watchdog, I think we all know the answer is the Coast Guard.

Colorado: Denver Post editorial against the recall

I probably spoke to the writer of this piece (I spoke to somebody from the Post's editorial team). Needless to say, you can't tell from the write-up.

California: Lassen Supervisor recall approved, date for vote to be set

Lassen Supervisor Jack Hanson will be facing a recall vote, as petitioners have enough valid signatures. It took a judge's ruling to get it on the ballot, as the clerk originally threw out half the signatures do to improper forms. The Board will pick a date at their June 11 meeting. Hanson is facing a recall for his vote to terminate the County Administrative Officer, a few other more nebulous reasons and a failure to support a taxpayer-funded swimming pool. 

The first attempt to recall Hanson failed, the second took five times to get the petitions approved.

Texas: Legislation giving Vinton recall awaits Governor's signature

Here

Arizona: Group continuing effort to get Arpaio recall effort tossed out by courts

Here

Texas: Petitions handed in for Lubbock Council recall

Petitions are being handed in for the recall of Councilman Victor Hernandez. Former Lubbock County Commissioner Ysidro Gutierrez is leading the effort and is handing in more than 450 signatures (no word on how much more). He needs 448. 

Washington: Spokane Tribe Vice Chair resigns during signature verification

Spokane Tribe Vice Chairman Rodney W. Abrahamson resigned while a tribal judge was verifying signatures (click the story for the whole complicated dynamic at work). Here's what he did:

Abrahamson was convicted of five misdemeanors after he illegally killed two bison north of Yellowstone National Park in February. Montana wildlife agents say he lied about his identity and claimed to be a member of the Nez Perce Tribe, which has treaty rights to hunt bison.

Oregon: Sherwood City Councilor facing petitions over Walmart zoning decision

Sherwood City Councilor Matt Langer is facing petitions for supporting the development of a Walmart on land owned by family members (not clear if he has any ownership himself). Langer claims that the zoning was all decided before he was elected (that was back in 2010). Petitioners need 704 signatures by August 15. Worth noting that this is not the first time that a Walmart has resulted in a recall threat.

Virginia: Isle of Wright County School Board members threatened with recalls over racist emails

Two members of the Isle of Wight County School Board, Herb DeGroft and Byron Bailey, are being threaten with recalls by the NAACP for sending racist and inappropriate emails. No word on signature requirements.

Colorado: Cost of state Senate recall at $207K

The estimated cost of a potential recall against state Sen. Angela Giron has been sliced by $37,000, thanks to a new state law that gets rid of precinct election judges. The estimated cost is currently $207K.

Wisconsin: Scott Walker going to Iowa

More presidential chatter