Board of trustees recall, Augusta Township, Michigan (2026)
| Board of trustees recall |
|---|
 |
| Officeholders |
Susan Burek Kim Gonczy Linda Adams Keith Gipfert Michael Green Stephanie Prain |
| Recall status |
| Signature requirement |
| See also |
| Recall overview Political recall efforts, 2026 Recalls in Michigan Michigan recall laws City council recalls City official recalls Recall reports |
An effort to recall Supervisor Todd Waller, Treasurer Susan Burek, Clerk Kim Gonczy, and trustees Linda Adams, Keith Gipfert, Michael Green and Stephanie Prain is underway in Augusta Township, Michigan.[1]
Recall supporters
Organizers initiated the recall effort after the township board unanimously approved rezoning 522 acres of farmland near Milan for a proposed hyperscale data center, stating officials should have allowed residents to vote on the measure before approving it.[1]
Recall opponents
In an email to M Live, trustee Keith Gipfert said, "I’m aware of the recall effort connected to the rezoning situation." Gipfert continued, "I want to be clear: I respect the legal recall process, but I’m concerned about the timing."
"Because the rezoning is headed to the voters in August, a recall push right now seems like it could be intended to shape public opinion, discourage participation, or otherwise influence that outcome rather than letting residents decide directly at the ballot box. I believe the rezoning question should stand on its merits, and voters should be able to make their decision without added political pressure or distractions," Gipfert said.
Writing to M Live, township clerk Kim Gonczy said, "We have made a lot of progress in the past and continue to work toward keeping Augusta Charter Township moving forward in a thoughtful and responsible way that benefits the entire community. Of the three Boards I have worked with this one proves to be exceptional! They are all hardworking, honest, good people that get along and work well together."
"This attempt to recall is very disappointing. I hope the residents of Augusta see it for what it is and DO NOT SIGN ANY RECALL PETITIONS," Gonczy said.[1]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Laws governing recall in Michigan
No specific grounds are required for recall in Michigan. To get a recall on the ballot in Michigan, recall supporters must collect signatures equal in number to 25% of voters in the jurisdiction in the last gubernatorial election. They have 60 days between the collection of the first signature and the collection of the last signature on the petition. Recall petitions are eligible to collect signatures for 180 days.[2][3][4]
Recall context
- See also: Ballotpedia's Recall Report
Ballotpedia covers recall efforts across the country for all state and local elected offices. A recall effort is considered official if the petitioning party has filed an official form, such as a notice of intent to recall, with the relevant election agency.
The chart below shows how many officials were included in recall efforts from 2012 to 2025 as well as how many of them defeated recall elections to stay in office and how many were removed from office in recall elections.
See also
- Ballotpedia's Recall Report
- Augusta Township, Michigan
- Recall campaigns in Michigan
- Political recall efforts, 2026
- City council recalls
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 M Live, "Recall effort targets entire township board over data center proposed southeast of Ann Arbor," February 19, 2026
- ↑ Michigan Election Law, "Act 116 of 1954: 168.955 Recall petition; number of signatures; certification." accessed October 13, 2023
- ↑ 'Michigan Election Law, "Act 116 of 1954: 168.961 Recall petition; filing; receipt; duties of filing official; duties of city or township clerk; certificate; duties of village clerk; use of qualified voter file." accessed October 13, 2023
- ↑ Michigan Election Officials' Manual, "Chapter 18 Recall Process," August 2017
