recall
Michigan Board of State Canvassers approve recall petition against Rep. Kelly Breen
A petition to recall state Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) was declared sufficient during a Monday meeting of the Board of State Canvassers. Breen, along with several other Democratic legislators, became the subject of recall attempts over the summer, based on her “yes” vote for extreme risk protection, or “red-flag” measures in March. The now-law that […]
Board of Canvassers OKs two Dem recall petitions, deadlocks on $15 minimum wage proposal
The Board of State Canvassers approved two petitions and deadlocked on another in a Friday special meeting. Petitions to recall state Reps. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) and Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) passed the board after earlier attempts failed this summer. The board — which is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans — also deadlocked on […]
Canvassers address concerns on ‘grassroots’ origins of recall petitions
Attorney Mark Brewer on Monday presented the Board of State Canvassers with evidence he argued proves recall petitions filed against multiple state lawmakers did not have grassroots origins. “These are not spontaneous grassroots efforts at all. They’re being organized and coordinated statewide, with the involvement of at least one out-of-state [political action committee], and a […]
Four previously rejected recall petitions for Michigan lawmakers refiled
Recall petitions against four House members that were rejected by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers last week have been promptly refiled. In recent weeks, recall petitions were filed against six Democratic and two Republican House members. Last week, all but one were rejected by the board at its Aug.1 meeting, with lack of clarity […]
GOP Rep. Cavitt calls recall effort a ‘distraction’
Of the eight recall petitions filed against state lawmakers this summer, only one has been approved for circulation in the hopes of forcing a recall election. State Rep. Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan) called the recall effort a distraction from the real issues facing his district in a statement Wednesday. Seven of the petitions were rejected Tuesday […]
Recall petition for one lawmaker approved, seven rejected
The Michigan Board of State Canvassers on Tuesday approved recall petition language to recall one lawmaker and rejected seven other petitions for other lawmakers, noting a lack of clarity in the language. Over the last few weeks, recall petitions have been filed against six Democratic and two Republican House members. The board, which is divided […]
Voting rights advocate calls recall petitions against state lawmakers ‘anti-democratic’
The head of a nonpartisan group committed to voting rights is highly critical of petitions to recall state lawmakers, calling the effort a case of “sour grapes.” Earlier this week, the Advance reported recall petitions against six state representatives from Michigan, five Democrats and one Republican. And now two more petitions have been turned in […]
Recall petitions filed against 5 Democratic, 1 Republican House members
Petitions to recall five Democratic state representatives in Michigan over their votes on recent hate crime and gun reform legislation were filed last week, according to the state Secretary of State’s office, as well as one petition against a Republican representative over his vote for the Democratic House speaker. State Reps. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor), […]
Recall effort filed for member of Ottawa County’s far-right commission
A petition has been filed to recall a member of Ottawa County’s GOP-majority commission due to her vote to effectively fire the county health officer without cause. The petition, filed Monday by Larry Jackson, a resident of Park Township, to the county clerk sites the Feb. 28 vote where Republican Commissioner Lucy Ebel, which represents […]
GOP focus on mental health after MSU shooting will not reduce gun violence, experts say
After the hundreds of shootings at schools in the United States over the past two-plus decades — 366 since 1999 — there is, gun violence researchers said, a familiar political playbook that follows: Democratic lawmakers push for gun reform; Republicans largely do not. Instead, GOP legislators focus on increasing access to mental health care. There’s […]
Jeff Timmer: Lawyer, guns, money and recalls
“I’m a desperate man. Send lawyers, guns, and money. The sh-t has hit the fan.” — from “Lawyers, Guns and Money,” a 1978 song by Warren Zevon That effectively became Donald Trump’s perseverative mantra following his defeat last November. Trump lied and cheated before, during and after the 2020 election. Most elected Republicans and party […]
Board OKs petition language to yank governor’s emergency powers
The Board of State Canvassers unanimously approved language for a petition that would repeal the Emergency Powers of Governor Act of 1945, which Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has used to keep Michigan in a state of emergency since the first reported case of COVID-19 was found here on March 10. Unlock Michigan, a group with ties […]