As of 12/12/2007

Several legislators have been targeted for possible recalls.  They are Senators Valde Garcia (R-Howell), Wayne Kuipers (R-Holland), and Gerald VanWoerkom (R-Muskegon), Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp.), and Representatives Steve Bieda (D-Warren), Marc Corriveau (D-Northville), Robert Dean (D-Grand Rapids), Marie Donigan (D-Royal Oak), Ed Gaffney (R-Grosse Pointe Farms), Marty Griffin (D-Jackson), Aldo Vagnozzi (D-Farmington Hills), Mary Valentine (D-Muskegon), and Chris Ward (R-Brighton).  The necessary paperwork to get the process started has been filed for all but three of the targeted legislators (Garcia, Kuipers, and Ward).  It is expected the paperwork for those remaining three will be filed in the near future.

Once paperwork has been filed, a "clarity hearing" with the County Board of Electors, which includes the County Clerk, County Treasurer, and Chief Judge of Probate, is scheduled within 20 days to review and clarify reasoning for the recall. Upon approval of the language, there is a 90-day window for the recallers to collect signatures in the targeted legislator's district.  The number of signatures required varies by district.  It is equal to one quarter of those who voted in the most recent gubernatorial election in that particular district.  If the signatures are collected on time, there will be an election scheduled for the seat in question. 

If the language is not approved, the petitioners have ten days to either file an appeal or submit new language.

The dates for the clarity hearings for the legislators who have had paperwork filed against them are as follows:

Bieda - October 29 - Language rejected

Corriveau - November 1 - Language rejected

Dean - November 5 - Language accepted

Dillon - November 1 - Language rejected

Donigan - Language accepted

Gaffney - November 1 - Language rejected

Valentine - November 5 - Language rejected

VanWoerkom - November 5 - Language rejected