In the first half of 2025, Ballotpedia tracked the fewest officials targeted for recall at midyear since 2020. From January 1, 2025, through June 20, 2025, 159 recall efforts were launched against 223 officials across 27 states.
City council members were once again the most targeted group, with 107 named in recall efforts. State legislators and school board members were tied for the second-most targeted, with 34 each.
Minnesota led the nation in officials targeted for recall with 35, followed by California with 30 and Colorado with 20. This marks the first time Minnesota has topped the list in mid-year recall activity since Ballotpedia began tracking this data.
Several notable officials were targeted for recall in the first half of 2025. In Minnesota, 30 state legislators were named in recall petitions following a partisan standoff over House leadership and quorum rules after the 2024 elections resulted in a tied chamber. Republicans launched 29 petitions against Democratic members who boycotted the session, and one petition was filed against a Republican lawmaker.
In Los Angeles, organizers launched a recall effort against Mayor Karen Bass, citing her handling of homelessness, public safety, and emergency response—specifically in the aftermath of the January 2025 Palisades Fire. Recall supporters pointed to business closures and cuts to firefighter staffing, while Bass’ campaign called the effort politically motivated.
In San Francisco, District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio is set to face a recall election on September 16, 2025, over his support for Proposition K, a measure to permanently close part of the Upper Great Highway to vehicle traffic. Opponents argued the policy worsened traffic congestion and broke campaign promises; Engardio defended it as a benefit to public recreation and local businesses.
Ballotpedia also highlighted two school board recall efforts in this report:
- Liberty Elementary School District, Arizona: A recall effort targeting board vice president Kristopher Kenyon filed petitions that were circulated due to community tensions over district leadership and staffing levels.
- Wrightstown Community School District, Wisconsin: Board member Angela Hansen-Winker was successfully recalled in April following disputes over legal fees, transparency, and a superintendent investigation.
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