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Recall Roundup: Key trends from Ballotpedia’s Mid-Year Recall Report

By

Mercedes Yanora

By Thomas Ellis, Staff Writer

Welcome to the first edition of the Recall Roundup, Ballotpedia's newsletter covering the latest developments in recall elections nationwide. From state legislatures to city councils, these elections offer a unique window into local political dynamics. In this edition, we share key stats from 2026 so far, highlight recent elections, and preview what's coming up.

By the Numbers: 2026 So Far

From Jan. 1 through June 30:

  • 205 recall efforts targeted 329 public officials
  • 34 officials faced recall votes
  • 8% of all officials targeted were removed from office
  • 79% of the officials who faced a recall vote were removed from office

For a complete breakdown of recall statistics through June 30, check out our 2026 Mid-Year Recall Report.

Key Trends from Ballotpedia’s Mid-Year Recall Report

Below are a few key findings from the report.

  • The 329 officials targeted in recall efforts through June 30 is the highest mid-year total since Ballotpedia began tracking this data in 2014.
  • Michigan accounted for nearly one-third of all officials included in recall efforts in the first half of 2026. This is the highest number of officials that Ballotpedia has identified in a single state at mid-year.
    • Despite covering only half the year, Michigan’s 2026 total is also the third-highest number of officials included in recall efforts in a single year that Ballotpedia has tracked in the state.
  • Recall efforts related to data center development accounted for approximately 17% of all recall efforts tracked so far in 2026.
  • The report also highlighted two recall campaigns – in Avenal, California, and Festus, Missouri – where city council members voted against recall resolutions after recall supporters had gathered enough signatures or enough votes to advance the recall. Recall supporters in both cities are now pursuing their efforts through the court system.

Recent Recall Elections

  • Codi Chinn: City council member in Fate, Texas
    • Removed from office on May 2 with 56% of voters in favor of the recall.
  • Pam Brinkman, Rochelle Brown, and Evan Laurie: Clerk and trustees in Elmwood Township, Michigan
    • All three officeholders were removed from office on May 5. 51% voted in favor of Brinkman’s removal, 51% voted in favor of Brown’s removal, and 53% voted in favor of Laurie’s removal.
  • Kimberly Hetzel: Treasurer of Columbus Township, Michigan
    • Removed from office on May 5 with 79% of voters in favor of the recall.
  • Chris Juilfs: Village board member in Alvo, Nebraska
    • Retained his seat on May 12 with 60% of voters in favor of retention.
  • Theresa Westfall: City council president in Peru, Nebraska
    • Retained her seat on May 12 with 61% of voters in favor of retention.
  • Zhon Gering: City council member in Harvard, Nebraska
    • Removed from office on May 12 with 60% of voters in favor of the recall.
  • Annie Martinez: Town council member in Mammoth, Arizona
    • Removed from office on May 19 with 59% of voters in favor of the recall.
  • True Pearce: Prosecuting attorney in Washington County, Idaho
    • Narrowly retained his seat on May 19 with 50% of voters in favor of retention.
  • Levi Johnson, Patrick Boyle, Darren Hayes, and Anicleto Maldonado: City councilors in Benson, Arizona
    • Johnson, Boyle, and Hayes were removed from office on May 19, while Maldonado retained his seat. 55% voted in favor of Johnson’s removal, 63% voted in favor of Boyle’s removal, 57% voted in favor of Hayes’ removal, and 77% voted in favor of Maldonado’s retention.
  • Ignacio Velazquez: County supervisor in San Benito County, California
    • Removed from office on June 2 with 51% of voters in favor of the recall.
  • Chad Ray: Mayor of Echo, Oregon
    • Removed from office on June 9 with 63%  of voters in favor of the recall.
  • Thad Earls: Sheriff of Morton County, Kansas
    • Removed from office on June 9 with 60% of voters in favor of the recall.
  • Michael Bivens, Amy Harcar, and Lori Elmore: Mayor and city council members in Whitehall, Ohio
    • Bivens was retained on June 23 with 52% of voters in favor of retention. As of July 7, the Harcar and Elmore recalls had not been decided.
  • Lisa Conrad: School board member in Alaska Gateway School District
    • As of publication, results for this election were not available. 

Upcoming Recall Elections

Looking ahead, here are the scheduled recall elections to watch in July:

  • Lena Richardson: Mayor of Shady Cove, Oregon
    • Richardson is facing a recall election on July 7.

From the Archives

In 2003, California voters removed Gov. Gray Davis (D) from office 11 months into his second term, making it the second successful gubernatorial recall in U.S. history. The Oct. 7 recall election drew 8.9 million voters—a 20% increase from the previous year’s gubernatorial election—and passed with 55% of the vote.

Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) replaced Davis. The effort came amid a state electricity crisis and a growing budget deficit. No other California governor faced a recall vote until 2021, when Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) was retained. 

Looking Ahead

The next issue of this newsletter will be published in October. In the meantime, you can:

Thanks for reading the first edition of the Recall Roundup. Know of a recall effort we should be tracking, or have feedback on this newsletter? Reach out to us at editor@ballotpedia.org. We'll be back soon with more!