Springfield Township Residents Prepare Recall Effort Against Supervisor Ric Davis
A group of Springfield Township residents is preparing to begin a formal effort to recall Township Supervisor Ric Davis.
Recently, I was asked to meet with several of the concerned residents and the attorney assisting them with the process. According to the group, the recall petition language has been decided and is expected to be filed this week.
The filing will mark the beginning of the legal recall process.
[Note: This does not automatically start the signature collection process or a recall election.]
Under Michigan law, proposed recall language must clearly and factually identify specific conduct(s) by the elected official during the official’s current term. Before petitions may be circulated, the language must be reviewed by the Oakland County Election Commission. The commission’s role is limited: it does not decide whether the reasons are persuasive or whether Davis should be removed from office. It determines whether the language is factual and sufficiently clear for the official and voters to understand the conduct at issue.
The Election Commission generally must hold a public clarity hearing between 10 and 20 days after the language is filed. Both the petition sponsors and Davis may appear and present arguments. Either side may also appeal the commission’s decision to Oakland County Circuit Court.
Only after the language survives that review and any applicable appeal period can organizers begin collecting signatures.
To place a recall election on the ballot, organizers must collect valid signatures equal to 25 percent of the votes cast for all candidates for governor within Springfield Township during the most recent gubernatorial election. The Oakland County Clerk is responsible for providing the official number of signatures required.
To learn more about the recall process -> Recall of Local Elected Officials by Michigan Bureau of Elections
The exact grounds for the recall should be taken directly from the petition once it is filed. Until that language becomes part of the public record, it would be premature to present any particular complaint as the official basis for the recall.
Once the paperwork is filed, the proposed language, filing date and Election Commission hearing information should become publicly available.
Oko Environmental will post the actual recall language and continue following the process as it moves forward. This coverage will distinguish between verified records, statements made by recall organizers, responses from Davis and the procedural decisions made by election officials. Please visit the webpage below for more information.
Recall of Supervisor Ric Davis: Timeline & Public Documents
