Caden Sipe recall, Umatilla, Oregon (2025)
| Caden Sipe recall |
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| Officeholders |
| Recall status |
| Signature requirement |
| See also |
| Recall overview Political recall efforts, 2025 Recalls in Oregon Oregon recall laws Mayoral recalls Recall reports |
An effort to recall Mayor Caden Sipe is underway in Umatilla, Oregon. Recall organizers submitted 195 signatures for verification. A preliminary review by Umatilla County Elections-Records Supervisor Stephen Craigen found that 28 signatures were invalid.[1] Umatilla City Recorder Nanci Sandoval later found the recall petition insufficient because seven signature sheets listed "Mayor City of Umatilla" rather than "Mayor of Umatilla," which was the title used when the petition was approved for circulation.[2]
Sipe was elected as mayor of Umatilla on November 8, 2022.[3]
Recall supporters
The recall effort was organized by Umatilla resident Tracy Finck. The recall petition stated the following as grounds for recalling Sipe.[4]
| “ |
As the Mayor, you shouldn’t sue the town or city council. As the Mayor, you should be able to work with the people of our town. Umatilla is the town he (Sipe) grew up in, be proud and work with the people who elected you not against them. Umatilla doesn’t or shouldn’t be in the news for being sued by the Mayor[5] |
” |
Recall opponents
Sipe issued a statement in response to the recall effort.[6]
| “ |
I am surprised to learn that Mrs. Finck filed the petition on the 9th of July as I met with her on the 15th of July and she did not indicate that she was fully decided on her petition action. I am working to protect my own free speech, and I support the free speech of those who disagree with me too. I agree with Mrs. Finck's concerns. As Mayor, I should not have to file a lawsuit to get the City to follow state laws and its own charter. The lawsuit causes me great stress and sadness; however, I tried for two years to get simple things accomplished and had to get a lawyer to help me with behind closed doors attacks from City Councilors and staff. I have asked questions, I have requested transparency, I have done my best to get our City Council to follow state laws and our City's charter. I will continue to do so and appreciate the support I've received from the community.[5] |
” |
Path to the ballot
- See also: Laws governing recall in Oregon
No specific grounds are required for recall in Oregon. To get the recall on the ballot, supporters must collect signatures equal to 15% of the votes cast in the last regular gubernatorial election in the relevant jurisdiction. Signatures must be collected within 90 days.[7]
Organizers were required to submit 163 valid signatures to put the recall against Sipe on the ballot.[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 2024 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
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ East Oregonian, "Recall of Umatilla mayor moves to verification stage," October 15, 2025
- ↑ East Oregonian, "Umatilla mayor recall petition fails," October 24, 2025
- ↑ East Oregonian, "Election 2022: Umatilla elects new mayor," November 8, 2022
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Elkhorn Media Group, "Prospective recall petition filed against Umatilla mayor," August 27, 2025
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Sipe for Umatilla, "Statement Regarding Recall Petition," August 27, 2025
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Recall Manual," accessed October 17, 2023
