In Green Charter Township, Michigan, a recall election seeking to remove James Chapman (R) from his position as supervisor, Janet Clark (R) from her position as clerk, Denise MacFarlane (R) from her position as treasurer, and Roger Carroll (R) and Dale Jernstadt (R) from their positions as trustees is scheduled for November 7, 2023. Former Trustees James Peek (R) and Gary Todd (R) were also subjects of the recall effort. Peek resigned on June 13, 2023, and Todd resigned on September 13, 2023.
The recall effort began on April 28, 2023, when organizers filed petitions with the Mecosta County Clerk. The petitions to recall each official gave the following as the reason for the recall effort: “…voted yes to approve a resolution adopted by the Township Board of the Township at a meeting held on the 13th day of December 2022 titled ‘CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GREEN COUNTY OF MECOSTA RESOLUTION NO. 01-122022,’ a ‘RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT GOTION INC AND THEIR BRINGING THEIR INDUSTRIAL PROJECT TO GREEN CHARTER TOWNSHIP.’”
Michigan requires recall petitions to undergo a clarity/factual hearing. For recall petitions targeting local officials, the county election commission is the body that makes clarity/factual determinations. The circuit court hears appeals. The Mecosta County Election Commission approved the Green Charter Township petitions for circulation on May 11, 2023.
