Gretchen Whitmer recall, Governor of Michigan (2020-2021)

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2020-2021 Gretchen Whitmer recall: Governor of Michigan
Recall status
Underway
Table of contents
Recall supporters Recall opponents Election history Background Path to the ballot
See also
External links Footnotes

Twenty recall efforts against Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) were launched in 2020. Five efforts have been approved for circulation by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers, 10 efforts have been rejected by the board, one effort has been withdrawn, and four efforts have ended.

Supporters of each approved recall effort need to submit 1,062,647 signatures within a 60-day period to force a recall election. The 60-day period begins on the first day that signatures are collected. The recall petition must be submitted to the office of Michigan's secretary of state no later than 180 days after it was approved by the board. According to state recall rules, if a recall is appealed to the court of appeals, the petition is valid 180 days after either the court renders a decision or 40 days after the date of appeal whichever comes sooner. Read more here on how recalls function in Michigan.

Whitmer was elected as Michigan's governor in 2018 with 53.3% of the vote. Rick Snyder (R) served as governor from 2011 to 2019.

2020-2021 Gretchen Whitmer recalls
Recall	Petitioner	Filed	Approved	Rejected	Status (Key)Petition withdrawn - the petition has been withdrawn Petition rejected - the petition has been rejected by the board Petition approved - the petition was approved by the board and can be circulated for signatures Under consideration - the board will consider this petition for approval On the ballot - the petition received the required number of signatures to make the ballot. Petition ended - the approved recall did not receive the required number of signatures to make the ballot.	Petition valid until
#1	Chad Baase	April 17, 2020	-	-	Petition withdrawn	-
#2	Chad Baase	May 12, 2020	-	May 22, 2020	Petition rejected	-
#3	Jim Makowski	May 27, 2020	-	June 8, 2020	Petition rejected	-
#4	Chad Baase	May 29, 2020	June 8, 2020	-	Petition ended	January 24, 2021
#5	Michael Garabelli	June 4, 2020	-	June 18, 2020	Petition rejected	-
#6	Michael Garabelli	June 19, 2020	-	July 6, 2020	Petition rejected	-
#7	Brenda LaChappelle	July 14, 2020	July 31, 2020	-	Petition ended	March 18, 2021
#8	Hope Sprangel	July 14, 2020	-	July 31, 2020	Petition rejected	-
#9	Jim Makowski	July 14, 2020	-	July 31, 2020	Petition rejected	-
#10	Jim Makowski	July 14, 2020	-	July 31, 2020	Petition rejected	-
#11	Jim Makowski	July 14, 2020	July 31, 2020	-	Petition ended	March 18, 2021
#12	Michael Garabelli	July 16, 2020	-	July 31, 2020	Petition rejected	-
#13	Chad Baase	July 28, 2020	August 11, 2020	-	Petition ended	March 29, 2021
#14	Jim Makowski	August 20, 2020	September 2, 2020	-	Petition approved	April 19, 2021
#15	Michael Garabelli	August 20, 2020	September 2, 2020	-	Petition approved	April 19, 2021
#16	David Blair	August 20, 2020	-	September 2, 2020	Petition rejected	-
#17	John Parkinson	August 24, 2020	September 10, 2020	-	Petition approved	April 29, 2021
#18	John Parkinson	August 24, 2020	-	September 10, 2020	Petition rejected	-
#19	John Parkinson	August 24, 2020	September 10, 2020	-	Petition approved	April 29, 2021
#20	John Parkinson	August 24, 2020	September 10, 2020	-	Petition approved	April 29, 2021

Recall supporters

First recall effort (submitted by Chad Baase; petition withdrawn)

• First recall effort (click to expand)
  The first recall petition was filed by Chad Baase on April 17, 2020. According to Michigan Radio, Baase filed the petition because he believed Whitmer's decision to shut down certain businesses during the coronavirus pandemic was illegal. He said, "When she took office she swore to uphold the Constitution, and she’s not doing that with her executive order."

  The state Board of State Canvassers met remotely on April 30, 2020, to hold a clarity and factual hearing to review the recall's petition language. The hearing was delayed since the governor's lawyer argued that the notification of the recall petition was improper. Baase withdrew the recall petition hours before the hearing after learning of the notification error by election officials. He planned to resubmit the recall petition with updated language on May 1. The petition listed the following reasons for recall:

  “	Executive Order 2020-42 defines who is an essential employee and who is not, defines what business must close, prohibits the sale of items including plants and seeds sold at nurseries, prohibiting public and private gatherings of any number of persons not part of a single household, which includes but is not limited to religious services. Consistent with MCL 10.33 and MCL 30.405(3), a willful violation of the order is a misdemenor.	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

Second recall effort (submitted by Chad Baase; petition rejected)

• Second recall effort (click to expand)
  The second recall petition was filed by Chad Baase on May 12, 2020. The Michigan Board of State Canvassers met remotely on May 22, 2020, and voted not to approve the recall, citing unclear language and factual errors with the petition's reasons for recall. The petition listed the following reasons for recall:

  “	(1) For signing Executive Orders that prohibit private and public gatherings of any number of people not from the same household which included religious services and required many businesses to close. (2) For signing Executive Orders that prohibit many services including many surgeries and medical proceedures. (3) For making the statement that abortion is a 'life-sustaining' medical proceedure. (4) For signing Executive Orders that suspend provisions of the Open Meetings Act that would otherwise require a physical presence, such as, the Michigan Board of State Canvassers meetings. (5) Not removing Jackson Sheriff Steve Rand from office for allegations of mocking an employee for his disability, making a comment about making a snuff film with a courthouse employee, and using racial slurs described in a 264 page packet submited to Govemor Whitmer by Jackson Mayor Derek Dobies. (6) For failure to insure that unemployment applicants are able to reach a representative by phone or in person easily.	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

Third recall effort (submitted by Jim Makowski; petition rejected)

• Third recall effort (click to expand)
  The third recall petition was filed by Jim Makowski on May 27, 2020. The petition was rejected on June 8, 2020, by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. The petition listed the following reasons for recall:

  “	Gretchen Whitmer, by issuing Executive Order 2020-09, "Temporary restrictions on the use of places of public accommodation," and extending said restrictions through Executive Orders 2020-21, 2020-43, 2020-70, 2020-92 and 2020-96 has forced the closure of Michigan businesses, contributing to a seasonally adjusted jobless rate in April of 22.7 percent. This monthly jump of 18.4 percentage points has resulted in Michigan's jobless rate growing 8.0 percent above the U.S. national unemployment rate growth of 10.3%.	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

Fourth recall effort (submitted by Chad Baase; petition ended)

• Fourth recall effort (click to collapse)

  The fourth recall petition was filed by Chad Baase on May 29, 2020. The petition was approved on June 8, 2020, by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. Baase said about the recall, "She didn’t put through effective measures with COVID to ensure businesses didn’t have to close their doors. Some places couldn’t social distance under the federal guidelines, but many businesses could have stayed open with safety guidelines in place and were forced out of work. You can’t take away someone’s income and say you’re eligible for pandemic unemployment but then you can’t speak with anyone. I’m still waiting on my unemployment. They owe me 10 weeks."

  Baase withdrew the petition language on July 27, 2020. Even though Baase withdrew the petition language, a petition cannot be withdrawn after it has been approved by the board. The petition remained active until the signature filing deadline passed. On December 3, 2020, the Michigan Court of Appeals agreed with the Board of State Canvassers that Baase's fourth recall petition was factual and clear and could be circulated for signatures. Baase said in an interview with MLive that he did not intend to collect signatures to recall Gov. Whitmer. Signatures for the recall were due by January 24, 2021. The required signatures were not submitted to recall Whitmer. The petition listed the following reasons for recall:

  “	For signing Executive Order 2020-04, Declaration of State of Emergency, on March 10, 2020; For signing Executive Order 2020-17, Temporary restrictions on non-essential medical and dental procedures, on March 20, 2020; For signing Executive Order 2020-21, Temporary requirement to suspend activities that are not necessary to sustain or protect life, on March 23, 2020; For signing Executive Order 2020-32, Temporary restrictions on non-essential veterinary services, on March 30, 2020; For signing Executive Order 2020-33, Expanded emergency and disaster declaration, on April 1, 2020; For signing Executive Order 2020-42, Temporary requirement to suspend activities that are not necessary to sustain or protect life - Rescission of Executive Order 2020-21, on April 9, 2020; For signing Executive Order 2020-67, Declaration of state of emergency under the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act, 1945 PA 302, on April 30, 2020; For signing Executive Order 2020-68, Declaration of states of emergency and disaster under the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, on April 30, 2020; For signing Executive Order 2020-92, Temporary requirement to suspend certain activities that are not necessary to sustain or protect life Rescission of Executive Orders 2020-77 and 2020-90, on May 18, 2020.	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

Fifth recall effort (submitted by Michael Garabelli; petition rejected)

• Fifth recall effort (click to expand)

  The fifth recall petition was filed by Michael Garabelli on June 4, 2020. The petition was rejected on June 18, 2020, by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. The petition listed the following reasons for recall:

  “	In April of 2020, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-50 2) On April 13, 2020, Governor Whitmer made the following statements during a News Conference on COVID-19: "There's a lot of false information that is being disseminated. I think you need to always discern if there is political posturing going on as opposed to sharing of facts." "I also would just say, I think it is this group is funded in large part by the DeVos family and I think it's really inappropriate for a sitting member of the United States president's cabinet to waging political attacks on any governor, but obviously on me her at home." 3) In March of 2020, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-17, which included the following language: "A plan for a covered facility that performs medical procedures should exclude from postponement surgeries related to advanced cardiovascular disease (including coronary disease, artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias) that would prolong life; oncological testing, treatment, and related procedures; pregnancy-related visits and procedures; labor and delivery; organ transplantation; and procedures related to dialysis."	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

Sixth recall effort (submitted by Michael Garabelli; petition rejected)

• Sixth recall effort (click to expand)

  The sixth recall petition was filed by Michael Garabelli on June 19, 2020. The petition was rejected on July 6, 2020, by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. The petition listed the following reasons for recall:

  “	For signing in April of 2020, Executive Order 2020-50 2) For saying the following regarding a question about the April 15, 2020 rally, ‘Operation Gridlock’, during an April 13, 2020 News Conference on COVID-19: “I hope that as people are looking at social media they are dispelling and taking on the dissemination of demonstrably inaccurate information. I also would just say, I think it is this group is funded in a large part by the DeVos family and I think it’s really inappropriate for a sitting member of the United States President’s cabinet to be waging political attacks on any governor, but obviously on me here at home.” MLIVE later reported: “Nick Wasmiller, a spokesperson for the DeVos family, said the family hasn’t funded the protest [Operation Gridlock] . . .” 3) For signing in March of 2020, Executive Order 2020-17, Temporary restrictions on non-essential medical and dental procedures, which included the following language: “A plan for a covered facility that performs medical procedures should exclude from postponement surgeries related to advanced cardiovascular disease (including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias) that would prolong life; oncological testing, treatment, and related procedures; pregnancy-related visits and procedures; labor and delivery; organ transplantations; and procedures related to dialysis.”	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

Seventh recall effort (submitted by Brenda LaChappelle; petition ended)

• Seventh recall effort (click to collapse)

  The seventh recall petition was filed by Brenda LaChappelle on July 14, 2020. The petition was considered on July 31, 2020, by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. The board approved the recall for circulation at the meeting. The recall was appealed to the Michigan Court of Appeals on August 10, 2020. According to state recall rules, if a recall is appealed to the court of appeals, the petition is valid 180 days after either the court renders a decision or 40 days after the date of appeal whichever comes sooner. This made the signatures due by March 18, 2021. The required signatures were not submitted to recall Whitmer.

  The petition listed the following reasons for recall:

  “	Gretchen Whitmer signed executive order 2020-38 (Covid-19) on April 1, 2020.	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

Eighth recall effort (submitted by Hope Sprangel; petition rejected)

• Eighth recall effort (click to expand)

  The eighth recall petition was filed by Hope Sprangel on July 14, 2020. The petition was rejected on July 31, 2020, by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. The petition listed the following reasons for recall:

  “	Gretchen Whitmer signed a letter to President Donald Trump on 9/11/2019 to support Red Flag Laws, assault weapon bans, and magazine bans. The proposal’s in the letter violate Michigan’s Second Amendment Rights under Article I Sec VI of the 1963 Michigan Constitution “Every person has the right to keep and bear arms for the defense of himself and the state.”	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

Ninth recall effort (submitted by Jim Makowski; petition rejected)

• Ninth recall effort (click to collapse)

  The ninth recall petition was filed by Jim Makowski on July 14, 2020. The petition was rejected on July 31, 2020, by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. The petition listed the following reasons for recall:

  “	Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-50, which required, in part, nursing homes with a census below 80% to create a unit dedicated to the care of COVID-19-affected residents. This provision of Executive Order 2020-50 was promulgated despite the advice of the Health Care Association of Michigan.	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

Tenth recall effort (submitted by Jim Makowski; petition rejected)

• Tenth recall effort (click to expand)

  The tenth recall petition was filed by Jim Makowski on July 14, 2020. The petition was rejected on July 31, 2020, by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. The petition listed the following reasons for recall:

  “	Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Orders 2020-09, 2020-21, 2020-43, 2020-70, 2020-92 and 2020-96, requiring the closure of many Michigan businesses. Data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show Michigan had the third highest unemployment rate in the nation at 21.2% for the month of May, 2020.	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

Eleventh recall effort (submitted by Jim Makowski; petition ended)

• Eleventh recall effort (click to collapse)

  The eleventh recall petition was filed by Jim Makowski on July 14, 2020. The petition was considered on July 31, 2020, by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. The board approved the recall for circulation at the meeting. The recall was appealed to the Michigan Court of Appeals on August 10, 2020. According to state recall rules, if a recall is appealed to the court of appeals, the petition is valid 180 days after either the court renders a decision or 40 days after the date of appeal whichever comes sooner. This made the signatures due by March 18, 2021. The required signatures were not submitted to recall Whitmer.

  The petition listed the following reasons for recall:

  “	Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-143 on July 1, 2020 closing indoor service at bars.	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

Twelfth recall effort (submitted by Michael Garabelli; petition rejected)

• Twelfth recall effort (click to expand)

  The twelfth recall petition was filed by Michael Garabelli on July 16, 2020. The petition was rejected on July 31, 2020, by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. The petition listed the following reasons for recall:

  “	1) For signing in April of 2020, Executive Order 2020-50 2) For saying the following regarding a question about the April 15, 2020 rally, ‘Operation Gridlock’, during an April 13, 2020 News Conference on COVID-19: “I hope that as people are looking at social media they are dispelling and taking on the dissemination of demonstrably inaccurate information. I also would just say, I think it is this group is funded in a large part by the DeVos family and I think it’s really inappropriate for a sitting member of the United States President’s cabinet to be waging political attacks on any governor, but obviously on me here at home.” USATODAY, Fox17, and MLIVE reported that the DeVos family did not fund this rally. 3) For signing in March of 2020, Executive Order 2020-17, Temporary restrictions on non-essential medical and dental procedures, which included the following language: “A plan for a covered facility that performs medical procedures should exclude from postponement surgeries related to advanced cardiovascular disease (including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias) that would prolong life; oncological testing, treatment, and related procedures; pregnancy-related visits and procedures; labor and delivery; organ transplantation; and procedures related to dialysis.”	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

Thirteenth recall effort (submitted by Chad Baase; petition ended)

• Thirteenth recall effort (click to expand)

  The thirteenth recall petition was filed by Chad Baase on July 28, 2020. The petition was considered on August 11, 2020, by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. The board approved the recall by a 3-0 vote. The recall was appealed to the Michigan Court of Appeals on August 21, 2020. According to state recall rules, if a recall is appealed to the court of appeals, the petition is valid 180 days after either the court renders a decision or 40 days after the date of appeal whichever comes sooner. This made the signatures due by March 29, 2021. The required signatures were not submitted to recall Whitmer.

  The petition listed the following reasons for recall:

  “	For signing Executive Order 2020-04, Declaration of State of Emergency, on March 10, 2020 and for also signing Executive Order 2020-67, Declaration of state of emergency under the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act, 1945 PA 302, on April 30, 2020.	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

Fourteenth recall effort (submitted by Jim Makowski; petition approved for circulation)

• Fourteenth recall effort (click to collapse)

  The fourteenth recall petition was filed by Jim Makowski on August 20, 2020. The petition was considered on September 2, 2020, by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. The board approved the recall for circulation by a 4-0 vote. The petition lists the following reasons for recall:

  “	In April, 2020, Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-50, which required, in part, "A nursing home with a census below 80% must create a unit dedicated to the care of COVID-19-affected residents (“dedicated unit”) and must provide appropriate PPE, as available, to direct-care employees who staff the dedicated unit. A nursing home provider that operates multiple facilities may create a dedicated unit by dedicating a facility for such a purpose."	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

  According to MLIVE, supporters were expected to begin to collect signatures for this recall on October 23. This made the signatures due by December 22, 2020. As of January 22, 2020, there was no indication on Makowski's recall website that signatures were submitted in the effort. Even if no signatures were submitted, the petition is still active until 180 days after it was approved by the board. The signature deadline may be delayed if the approved petition was appealed in the courts.

Fifteenth recall effort (submitted by Michael Garabelli; petition approved for circulation)

• Fifteenth recall effort (click to collapse)

  The fifteenth recall petition was filed by Michael Garabelli on August 20, 2020. The petition was considered on September 2, 2020, by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. The board approved the recall for circulation by a 4-0 vote. The petition lists the following reasons for recall:

  “	1) For signing in April of 2020, Executive Order 2020-50, Enhanced protections for residents and staff of long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic 2) For saying the following regarding a question about the April 15, 2020 rally, 'Operation Gridlock', during an April 13, 2020 News Conference on COVID-19: 'I hope that as people are looking at social media they are dispelling and taking on the dissemination of demonstrably inaccurate information. I also would just say, I think it is this group is funded in a large part by the DeVos family and I think it's really inappropriate for a sitting member of the United States President's cabinet to be waging political attacks on any governor, but obviously on me here at home." 3) For signing in March of 2020, Executive Order 2020-17, Temporary restrictions on on non-essential medical and dental procedures, which included the following language: "A plan for a covered facility that performs medical procedures should exclude from postponement surgeries related to advanced cardiovascular disease (including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias) that would prolong life; oncological testing, treatment and related procedures; pregnancy-related visits and procedures; labor and delivery; organ transplantation; and procedures related to dialysis."	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

Sixteenth recall effort (submitted by David Blair; petition rejected)

• Sixteenth recall effort (click to expand)

  The sixteenth recall petition was filed by David Blair on August 20, 2020. The petition was rejected on September 2, 2020, by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. The petition was rejected because a recall with the same petition language was approved by the board on June 8, 2020, by Chad Baase. Even though Baase withdrew the petition language, the recall is still active and was appealed in the courts by Whitmer's attorney. Until the courts made a decision, a recall with the same petition language would not be approved for circulation. The Michigan Court of Appeals on December 3, 2020, ruled that Baase's petition was factual and clear and his recall effort could continue. The petition listed the following reasons for recall:

  “	For signing Executive Order 2020-04, Declaration of State of Emergency, on March 10, 2020; For signing Executive Order 2020-17, Temporary restrictions on non-essential medical and dental procedures, on March 20, 2020; For signing Executive Order 2020-21, Temporary requirement to suspend activities that are not necessary to sustain or protect life, on March 23, 2020; For signing Executive Order 2020-32, Temporary restrictions on non-essential veterinary services, on March 30, 2020; For signing Executive Order 2020-33, Expanded emergency and disaster declaration, on April 1, 2020; For signing Executive Order 2020-42, Temporary requirement to suspend activities that are not necessary to sustain or protect life - Rescission of Executive Order 2020-21, on April 9, 2020; For signing Executive Order 2020-67, Declaration of state of emergency under the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act, 1945 PA 302, on April 30, 2020; For Signing Executive Order 2020-68, Declaration of states of emergency and disaster under the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, on April 30, 2020; For signing Executive Order 2020-92, Temporary requirement to suspend certain activities that are not necessary to sustain or protect life Rescission of Executive Orders 2020-77 and 2020-90, on May 18, 2020.	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

Seventeenth recall effort (submitted by John Parkinson; petition approved for circulation)

• Seventeenth recall effort (click to collapse)

  The seventeenth recall petition was filed by John Parkinson on August 24, 2020. The petition was considered on September 10, 2020, by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. The board approved the recall for circulation by a 3-1 vote. The petition lists the following reasons for recall:

  “	Gretchen Whitmer signed executive order 2020-11 on March 16, 2020.	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

Eighteenth recall effort (submitted by John Parkinson; petition rejected)

• Eighteenth recall effort (click to expand)

  The eighteenth recall petition was filed by John Parkinson on August 24, 2020. The petition was considered on September 10, 2020, by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. The board rejected the petition by a vote of 4-0 because the recall did not factually and clearly state the reasons for recall. The petition listed the following reasons for recall:

  “	Gretchen Whitmer signed a letter to President Donald Trump on 09/12/2019 to support Red Flag Laws.	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

Nineteenth recall effort (submitted by John Parkinson; petition approved for circulation)

• Nineteenth recall effort (click to collapse)

  The nineteenth recall petition was filed by John Parkinson on August 24, 2020. The petition was considered on September 10, 2020, by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. The board approved the recall for circulation by a 3-1 vote. The petition lists the following reasons for recall:

  “	Gretchen Whitmer signed executive order 2020-160 on July 29, 2020.	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

Twentieth recall effort (submitted by John Parkinson; petition approved for circulation)

• Twentieth recall effort (click to collapse)

  The twentieth recall petition was filed by John Parkinson on August 24, 2020. The petition was considered on September 10, 2020, by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. The board approved the recall for circulation by a 3-1 vote. The petition lists the following reasons for recall:

  “	Gretchen Whitmer signed executive order 2020-69 on April 30, 2020.	”
  —Gretchen Whitmer Recall Petition Language

Recall opponents

Christopher Mills, a senior adviser to Gov. Whitmer's campaign, said the following about the Chad Baase recall effort: "Michiganders know that the vast majority support the governor’s swift and aggressive action in the fight against COVID-19. The governor plans to fight this recall aggressively while staying focused on protecting Michigan families from the spread of COVID-19."

After Whitmer signed the state of emergency on March 10, 2020, she said the following:

“

We are taking every step we can to mitigate the spread of the virus and keep Michiganders safe. I have declared a state of emergency to harness all of our resources across state government to slow the spread of the virus and protect families. It’s crucial that all Michiganders continue to take preventative measures to lower their risk, and to share this information with their friends, family, and co-workers."

”

Election history

2018

See also: Michigan gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018

General election

General election for Governor of Michigan

The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Michigan on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gretchen Whitmer (D)	53.3	2,266,193
		Bill Schuette (R)	43.7	1,859,534
		Bill Gelineau (L)	1.3	56,606
		Todd Schleiger (U.S. Taxpayers Party)	0.7	29,219
		Jennifer Kurland (G)	0.7	28,799
		Keith Butkovich (Natural Law Party)	0.2	10,202
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0	32

---

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 4,250,585 (100.00% precincts reporting)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Michigan

Gretchen Whitmer defeated Abdul El-Sayed and Shri Thanedar in the Democratic primary for Governor of Michigan on August 7, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gretchen Whitmer	52.0	588,436
		Abdul El-Sayed	30.2	342,179
		Shri Thanedar	17.7	200,645

---

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,131,260

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Michigan

Bill Schuette defeated Brian Calley, Patrick Colbeck, and Jim Hines in the Republican primary for Governor of Michigan on August 7, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bill Schuette	50.7	501,959
		Brian Calley	25.2	249,185
		Patrick Colbeck	13.1	129,646
		Jim Hines	11.0	108,735

---

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 989,525

Green primary election

Green primary for Governor of Michigan

Jennifer Kurland advanced from the Green primary for Governor of Michigan on August 7, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Jennifer Kurland

---

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Libertarian primary election

Libertarian primary for Governor of Michigan

Bill Gelineau defeated John Tatar in the Libertarian primary for Governor of Michigan on August 7, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bill Gelineau	57.8	4,034
		John Tatar	42.2	2,941

---

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 6,975

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Dwain Reynolds (G)
• Kentiel White (D)
• Justin Giroux (D)
• Evan Space (R)
• Richard Sills (Independent)
• Ryan Henry Cox (Independent)
• Bill Cobbs (D)

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing recall in Michigan

Recall process

Recall is a process whereby an elected official can be removed from office prior to the end of his or her term. All elected officials in Michigan are subject to recall except judges of courts of record. The process for recalling a state official in Michigan is outlined below:

• A recall petition must first be filed with the Board of State Canvassers. The board holds a hearing to determine whether the reason for the petition is factual and clear; that is the only criteria considered by the board to approve or reject the petition. Click here to learn more about these hearings.
• Once approved by the board, the petitioner must amass a number of signatures equal to 25 percent of the number of votes cast in the last general election in the electoral district of the officer sought to be recalled. The petitioner has 60 days to collect these signatures beginning on the date the first signature is collected; however, the petition must be submitted to the Michigan Secretary of State no later than 180 days after it was approved by the board.
• If an approved petition is appealed to the state Court of Appeals, then "the recall petition cannot be circulated until the Court of Appeals renders a decision or until 40 days following the date of appeal, whichever is sooner."
• The Secretary of State then has 35 days to determine the validity of the signatures on the petition by verifying the voter registration status of those who signed. If the petition is approved, a special recall election will be scheduled on the next general election date wherein other candidates may challenge the incumbent for the governor's seat.
• If an election is forced, the incumbent may submit a justification statement for the conduct that triggered the recall which is printed on the special election ballot for voters to consider.

Clarity and factual hearing

A clarity and factual hearing is the first step in the recall process. Michigan laws state that the reason for petition must be deemed factual and clear by the Board of State Canvassers before the recall petition can be placed in circulation. The board does not document a rationale for their determination, only the judgment of rejected or approved.

The board also does not have the authority to make a determination on the legitimacy of the reason for recall, nor do Michigan laws explicitly state the criteria for judging a petition as factual and clear. This means that any reason for the recall can be placed on a petition and approved for circulation, so long as the reason is clearly stated and does not contain falsehoods.

Historical governor recalls

As of March 2021, one recall was still ongoing which carried over from 2019. From 2003 to 2019, Ballotpedia tracked 25 gubernatorial recall efforts against 22 governors. During that time, two recalls made the ballot and one governor was successfully recalled. Former California Gov. Gray Davis (D) was recalled by voters in 2003. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) was chosen as Davis's replacement. The only other governor to ever be successfully recalled was former North Dakota Gov. Lynn Frazier (R) in 1921. In 2012, Wisconsin voted to retain former Gov. Scott Walker (R) in the recall election. He received 53.1 percent of the vote.

See also

• Recall campaigns in Michigan
• Political recall efforts, 2020
• Political recall efforts, 2021
• Gubernatorial recalls
• Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (Michigan)
• Brad Little recall, Governor of Idaho (2020)
• Doug Ducey recall, Governor of Arizona (2020)
• Gavin Newsom recall, Governor of California (2020)
• Kate Brown recall, Governor of Oregon (2020)

External links

Suggest a link

• Office of Gov. Whitmer
• Recall Gov. Whitmer website