Town board recall, Adams Township, Michigan (2018)
| Town Board recall |
|---|
 |
| Officeholders |
Michelle Ginolfi Patricia Williams Duane Chase Larry Mayhew |
| Recall status |
| Recall election date |
| May 8, 2018 |
| See also |
| Recall overview Political recall efforts, 2018 Recalls in Michigan Michigan recall laws City official recalls Recall reports |
An effort in Adams Township, Michigan, to recall Town Supervisor Fred Fowler, Town Clerk Michelle Ginolfi, Town Treasurer Patricia Williams, and Town Trustees Duane Chase and Larry Mayhew was initiated in December 2017. The Hillsdale County Election Commission approved the language of the recall in a clarity hearing on December 19, 2017.[1] The recall election was held on May 8, 2018, and three of the five officials were recalled.
Recall vote
The recall election was held on May 8, 2018. Town Supervisor Fred Fowler and Town Trustees Duane Chase and Larry Mayhew were recalled. Town Clerk Michelle Ginolfi and Town Treasurer Patricia Williams defeated their recall challengers.[2]
Recall supporters
Recall organizer Mark Nichols initiated the recall effort after the town council ordered him to remove non-functioning vehicles from his driveway. He opposed the council's decision, saying, "These people likely could serve prison time for what they're doing."[1]
The council passed an ordinance in June 2017 that required property owners to remove nuisances from their properties or face fines. This ordinance defined a nuisance as "whatever annoys, injures, or endangers the peace, welfare, order, health or safety of the public or their persons or property."[1]
Recall opponents
Fowler told local media that the nuisance order was consistent with the ordinance and followed complaints from local residents.[1]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Laws governing recall in Michigan
Each recall petition in Michigan must be approved for circulation during a clarity hearing held by the county election commission. This hearing determines if the charges made in the petition are clear enough for a voter to understand. If approved for circulation, a recall organizer can initiate the signature-gathering process.
The recall was approved in a clarity meeting on December 19, 2017. Nichols was required to gather at least 204 valid signatures from town residents for each targeted official to trigger an election.[1][3]
See also
External links
Footnotes
