Jeff Hayner recall, Ann Arbor, Michigan (2021)
| Ann Arbor City Council recall |
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| Recall overview Political recall efforts, 2021 Recalls in Michigan Michigan recall laws City council recalls Recall reports |
An effort to recall Councilman Jeff Hayner did not make the ballot in Ann Arbor, Michigan.[1]
After the Washtenaw County Election Commission approved the recall petition language on May 11, 2021, Hayner filed an appeal, arguing that the petition was inaccurate and violated his 1st Amendment rights. Washtenaw County Circuit Court Judge Tim Connors ruled on July 15 that the recall could proceed, but organizers did not collect the required 2,264 signatures by the July 30 deadline.[2][3]
Organizers alleged that Hayner used a homophobic slur and attacked journalists in a Facebook post. Hayner told The Michigan Daily News that he did not regret the post because the slur was part of a quote from the book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. He later apologized and expressed support for the LGBTQ community.[4]
Recall supporters
Resident Ariah Schugat led the recall effort.[5] The group Recall Jeff Hayner posted the following explanation of its reasons for pursuing the recall.[6]
| “ |
On Saturday, April 10, Ann Arbor City Councilmember Jeff Hayner (D-Ward 1) posted a quote attacking the press and also containing a homophobic slur in a Facebook group. He was commenting on a group post about an editorial in mlive about the hate-filled rhetoric that journalists have endured in recent times. ... CM Hayner’s response to this incident is the latest in a pattern of poor judgement on his part, and we feel that this pattern of behavior renders CM Hayner unable to discharge his duties to the residents of Ann Arbor’s First Ward.[7] |
” |
Recall opponents
Councilman Hayner told The Michigan Daily News that he did not regret using the slur because it was quoted from a book, saying, "People who are offended by language like that are people who want to be offended by it … who let themselves be offended by it or who have an ulterior motive. ... They’re not my words."[4]
Hayner later gave the following statement:[8]
| “ | I understand that the language in the quote is considered offensive by many, especially so when taken out of context of the book, and the original thread. ... I also recognize that as a semi-public figure, I should be more careful and considerate of what I post. To be clear, those were not my words. That language doesn’t define who I am, who I have been, or who I will be. I fully support the LGBTQ community. Anyone who knows me knows that I believe in everyone’s right to live whatever life they choose, as long as they do no harm to others.[7] | ” |
Path to the ballot
- See also: Laws governing recall in Michigan
The Washtenaw County Election Commission approved the recall petition language on May 11, 2021.[9] Organizers had to collect 2,264 signatures from voters in Ann Arbor City Council Ward 1.[5]
Hayner filed an appeal, arguing that the petition was inaccurate and violated his 1st Amendment rights. Washtenaw County Circuit Court Judge Tim Connors ruled on July 15, 2021, that the recall could proceed, but organizers did not collect the required number of signatures by the July 30 deadline.[2][3]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ WEMU 89.1, "Recall Effort Against Ann Arbor Councilman Moves Forward," May 18, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 mLive, "ʻNot a close callʼ: Judge rejects recall appeal from Ann Arbor councilman Jeff Hayner," July 15, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 mLive, "Recall effort to oust Ann Arbor council member is dead as petition fails to get enough signatures," July 28, 2021
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Michigan Daily, "Ann Arbor councilmember Jeff Hayner defends, then apologizes for, posting homophobic slur after criticism from fellow councilmember," April 12, 2021
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Current, "Petition to Recall Council Member Jeff Hayner Sparks Hearing," April 30, 2021
- ↑ Campaign to Recall Jeff Hayner, "Recall Jeff Hayner," accessed May 19, 2021
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Pride Source, "Reluctantly Apologetic Ann Arbor City Councilman Jeff Hayner Called Out After Use of Homophobic Slur," April 19, 2021
- ↑ mLive, "Jeff Hayner not backing down from debate over offensive language as recall moves forward," May 12, 2021
