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Chris Swanson recall, Two Harbors, Minnesota (2022)
| Chris Swanson recall |
|---|
 |
| Officeholders |
| Recall status |
| Recall election date |
| August 9, 2022 |
| Signature requirement |
| See also |
| Recall overview Political recall efforts, 2022 Recalls in Minnesota Minnesota recall laws Mayoral recalls Recall reports |
An effort in Two Harbors, Minnesota, to recall Mayor Chris Swanson was initiated in March 2022.[1] Recall organizers submitted enough valid signatures to put the recall on the ballot. The recall election took place on August 9, 2022, and Swanson was removed from his position as a result of the vote.[2]
Recall vote
Chris Swanson recall, 2022
Chris Swanson lost the Mayor of Two Harbors recall election on August 9, 2022.
Recall Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
| ✖ | Yes |
86.5
|
1,149 | ||
No |
13.5
|
180 | |||
Total Votes |
1,329 | ||||
|
|
Recall supporters
The recall effort was organized by a group called the Resign or Recall Committee. Petitions accused Swanson of conflicts of interest and of using his position as mayor to benefit a family business.[1]
Recall opponents
In response to the recall election making the ballot, Swanson said, "What we’re doing in our community is finally working. We are taking on bigger projects, and we’re starting to move forward. The best is yet to come. I will not resign." He continued, "The real question for the community of Two Harbors is: Does Two Harbors want to continue to move forward and get things done? Or do they want to stop and go backward?"[2]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Laws governing recall in Minnesota
Recall organizers were required to gather valid signatures equal to 20% of registered voters in Two Harbors; about 450 signatures.
Almost 1,000 signatures were turned in by the recall committee on April 29, 2022. Two days later, a lawsuit was filed against the committee by Tim Jezierski, chair of the Lake County Republicans. The lawsuit argued that petition language didn't adequately define the word "malfeasance" and that residents who signed the petition were misled into believing their signatures would remain private. Cynthia Kosiak, an attorney and member of the Resign or Recall Committee, told the Duluth News Tribune that the committee was advised by the Minnesota Secretary of State's office that signatures would remain private. Kosiak said the group would withdraw the recall petition and gather a new round of signatures.[3]
On May 12, 2022, signatures were turned in for the second recall attempt. About 500 signatures were verified by the Two Harbors city clerk.[4]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 WDIO-TV, "Organizers say they have signatures to force Two Harbors recall election," March 31, 2022
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 KBJR, "Two Harbors mayor: ‘I will not resign,’ faces recall election instead," June 1, 2022
- ↑ Duluth News Tribune, "Recall committee withdraws petition against Two Harbors mayor, plans to restart effort," May 5, 2022
- ↑ Star Tribune, "Two Harbors City Council sets recall election for Mayor Chris Swanson — unless he resigns first," May 23, 2022
