Recall news
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| Propositions • | Recall | • Law |
A collection of news stories from around the nation on recall.
Montana 2006 recall effort billboard may have violated law
HAMILTON, Montana: A nine-page ruling by Commissioner of Political Practices Dennis Unsworth stated that Jack Vallance violated state campaign finance laws when he flew his airplane with an electronic billboard message that campaigned for the recall of Hamilton city councilor Bob Scott. The ruling stated that the act should yield a civil penalty. According to state law, billboard signs must contain information on who funded the sign.
The recall election was held in 2006, in which Scott retained his seat, with a slim margin of 152-150. The recall was the result of accusations that Scott implement “playground antics” that hurt the city and residents, including submitting a $152 travel expense reimburesment two years prior to that. [1]
George Barich recall succeeds
COTATI, California: Cotati City Council member George Barich was recalled in a special recall election held on November 17, 2009 in Sonoma County, California, for voters in the City of Cotati.[2][3]
- Yes to recall question: 65.7%
- No to recall question: 34.3%
Cotati has 3,986 registered voters and approximately 40% of them cast a vote in the recall election.[4]
Barich was elected to his current position on the Cotati City Council in November 2008 by a five-vote margin.
Reasons given by Barich's opponents for wanting to recall him included:
- The claim that he misused city stationery to write President Obama.
- The claim that he posted a racially charged picture on a personal website.
- His use of an image of the Cotati official seal on his personal website.
- He voted "no" on a resolution to put a half-cent sales tax measure on the November ballot; some in the city say that the sales tax was needed to keep Cotati solvent.
Cotati is located about 45 miles north of San Francisco. Its population was estimated in 2006 at about 7,170.
Pam Murray recall appears to be successful
NASHVILLE, Tennessee: Yesterday, Nashville residents cast their votes regarding whether to recall Nashville Councilwoman Pam Murray. Recall efforts began after Murray and Councilwoman Karen Bennett disputed a proposed bill that would have led to permitting mobile vendors on Cleveland Street in which some called Murray "unresponsive". Residents became increasingly concerned after a NewsChannel 5 report in April 2009 that revealed that Murray works for a methadone clinic in Detroit, Michigan despite her legal residence being in Nashville.[5] According to Nashville law, elected officials must reside in the city or district they represent.
Murray was first elected to the District 5 council in 2003.
According to unofficial results and the Davidson County Election Commission, the recall effort was approved. The election commission plans to certify the results on Monday.[6]
- Pam Murray (incumbent): 540 (49.91%)
- Jamie Hollin (challenger): 542 (50.09%)
Automatic recount in Clatsop County recall
CLATSOP COUNTY, Oregon: An automatic recount of Tuesday's recall election in Clatsop County will take place after counted votes revealed a four vote difference for County Commissioner Anne Samuelson.[7] On the other hand County Commissioner Jeff Hazen defeated the recall and will remain in office. The recall election for County Commissioner Patricia Roberts will be held in November 2009.[8]
- Anne Samuelson
- Yes: 1,013 (50.10%) (recount scheduled)
- No: 1,009 (49.90%)
- Yes: 1,013 (50.10%)
- Jeff Hazen
- Yes: 978 (43.9%)
- No: 1,250 (56.1%)
Clatsop County voters cast ballots today
CLATSOP COUNTY, Oregon: Voters in Clatsop County are heading to the polls today to voice their opinion on one ballot measure:
- The Clatsop County Commissioners recall targets: Ann Samuelson and Jeff Hazen. According to county officials ballots were sent out October 11th. Commissioner Patricia Roberts is also the target of the recall effort, however, supporters have not yet submitted signatures to recall the commissioner.
The recall efforts developed after the three commissioners voted in favor of a liquefied natural gas development.[9] However, because the recall election is not countywide, the county has a total of 5 drop-off sites: Clatsop County Clerk's Office, 24-hour Drive-up Drop Box on Exchange Street, Cannon Beach City Hall, Seaside City Hall and Warrenton City Hall.[10]
Hazen serves as the county chair and represents District 1, Samuelson reprepsents District 5 and Roberts represents District 2.[11]
Nevada voting law stirs controversy
CARSON CITY, Nevada: A new state law and the Nevada Constitution appear to have conflicting laws. According to the state constitution, in order to recall officials a minimum of 25 percent of "actual voters" is required for a recall election. However, according to SB156, sponsored by Sen. Terry Care, a minimum of 25 percent of "registered voters from a pertinent area" is required for an election. In Fernley, Nevada Councilman Monte Martin was successfully recalled after approximately 300 registered voters signed petitions. Sen. Care argues that "...even if you didn't vote in the primary, you should still have the right to participate in a recall." However, Fernley Mayor LeRoy Goodman argues otherwise. Goodman said that the new law could potentially cause a "revolving door" effect every time residents get upset.[12]
Clatsop County recall ballots go out this week
CLATSOP COUNTY, Oregon: On Friday, Clatsop County officials sent out ballots for the October 27, 2009 recall election. The recall specifically targets County Commissioners Ann Samuelson, Patricia Roberts and Jeff Hazen. The recall efforts developed after the three commissioners voted in favor of a liquefied natural gas development.[13] However, because the recall election is not countywide, the county has a total of 5 drop-off sites: Clatsop County Clerk's Office, 24-hour Drive-up Drop Box on Exchange Street, Cannon Beach City Hall, Seaside City Hall and Warrenton City Hall.[14][15]
Hazen serves as the county chair and represents District 1, Samuelson reprepsents District 5 and Roberts represents District 2.[16]
Recall efforts dropped, mayor announces resignation
MANDEVILLE, Louisiana: This past Friday Mandeville Mayor Eddie Price announced that he is resigning from office. "Over the past year, the distractions have become a great burden to this city. It is important to me that the City of Mandeville move forward in a positive direction and have the representation it well deserves. So it is with great sadness that today I've made the decision to step down as mayor effective immediately," said Price.[17] Price's resignation comes months after residents abandoned their efforts for a recall election and an August 2009 indictment by a St. Tammany Parish grand jury on charges that he committed perjury in his testimony in a 2008 criminal trial.[18]
A special election will be scheduled to choose a successor but in the mean time the city council is expected to nominate a temporary replacement.[17]
Ohio senator proposes recall statute
CUYAHOGA COUNTY, Ohio: Sen. Dale Miller proposed a recall statute that, if approved, would give residents the right to recall county officials for misconduct in office. According to reports, Miller sponsored the law after additional federal charges were filed in a corruption investigation involving Cuyahoga County Auditor Frank Russo's office. Miller noted that although the proposal is complicated it's "worth doing." "We will have to take into account both charter and non-charter counties," said Miller. Although the proposed statute currently only addresses county officials, Miller said that he is contemplating adding language that would allow voters to recall school board members.[19]
South Carolina may introduce statewide recall election
COLUMBIA, South Carolina: Senator Mike Rose is backing an effort to have the state of South Carolina allow for citizens to recall government officials at any and all levels. With the potential impeachment of Governor Mark Sanford, Rose has picked the prime time to bring the issue to the attention of the state. Rose is also backing an idea that would allow for initiative and referendum on the state level. Currently, South Carolina does not allow this process.
Rose has justified his ideas and proposals by stating the voters need to have the same power as the legislature when removing public officials from office. The issue will rear its head in the next South Carolina Legislative Session.[20]
Country is in a recall mood, according to Los Angeles Times
FLINT, Michigan: On August 1, 2009, the Los Angeles Times featured a story about recall campaigns around the country in 2009. The story, "'Throw the bums out' is national mood", refers to Ballotpedia's list of 2009 recall campaigns around the country.[21]
Focusing on recalls directed at Don Williamson, Carty Finkbeiner, Kevin Stufflebean, Don Plusquellic, the Westwood Heights School District and the Big Oak-Groveland Unified School District, the article asserts that money woes are at the root of the issue.
Joe Mathews is quoted as saying "these early recalls could be the beginning of a deluge of local political battles."
Ohio Supreme Court rules Finkbeiner recall invalid
TOLEDO, Ohio: The Ohio Supreme Court ruled on July 27, 2009 that the Carty Finkbeiner recall petitions are invalid because the petition forms were missing a sentence.[22]
The recall election would have been held on November 3, 2009.[23]
Finkbeiner's legal team said the petition forms were missing the sentence, "Whoever Commits Election Falsification is Guilty of a Felony of the 5th Degree."[24]
The state's highest court agreed, saying that although the Toledo City Charter does not say that recall petitions must include the sentence that was left out, the state's election laws do require the missing sentence.
About 40,000 signatures were collected on the petition to remove Finkbeiner from office.
New Jersey judge says recall signatures must be re-counted
Cape May, New Jersey: On July l7, Superior Court Judge Raymond Batten ruled that City Clerk Chris Wood had improperly invalidated signatures in the matter of the Ernie Troiano and Bill Davenport recall.
Judge Batten also noted that:
- Wood told the recall committee in December 2008 that they'd need 615 signatures on each recall petition. After the signatures were collected and filed, Wood said that the recall group really needed 697 signatures on each petition. The judge said that he is powerless to retroactively change that higher number.
- Evidence challenging the status of any rejected or reinstated signatures can be provided at hearings that will begin Monday, August 3.
- Final counts will not be available until after that hearing.[25]
California Secretary of State approves Schwarzenegger recall petition
SACRAMENTO, California: California Secretary of State Debra Bowen has approved a recall petition for California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The recall petition, sponsored by "Taxpayers United to Recall Governor Schwarzenegger", was filed by John D. Fusek of La Habra, who stated that the governor "must be held accountable for worsening the lives of California taxpayers, voters and families.”
More than one million valid signatures must be gathered by October 22, 2009 for the measure to qualify for the ballot.[26]
Recall confusion raises questions in Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee: The Hamilton County Election Commission informed local activist Frank DePinto that his recall petition for Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield was incomplete and must be revised to be approved. DePinto's petition lacked the text to appear on the ballot, which the law requires for petitions. The opacity of the state and local recall laws also led to questions on whether the petition itself removes Littlefield from office or simply presents it on a ballot for voters to decide. The number of signatures required is also unclear, due to conflicting statutes. The commission will revisit the petition on May 13.[27]
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