State Rep. MacDonell recall petition approved
By Lisa Brody
The state Board of Canvassers approved recall language against state Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy, Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Clawson, Royal Oak) on Monday, August 21, after a petition was filed against her due to her vote in favor of Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) laws, also known as Red Flag laws.
MacDonell, along with state Rep. Noah Arbit (West Bloomfield, Commerce Township, Bloomfield Township, Orchard Lake, Sylvan Lake, Keego Harbor) and Democratic state Reps. Jennifer Conlin of Ann Arbor and Reggie Miller of Belleville had recall petitions refiled after they had been originally rejected by the state Board of Canvassers. The Board of Canvassers rejected the petition language filed against Arbit, Conlin and Miller on August 21, for their votes against hate laws.
“My vote in support of ERPO laws shows my commitment to ensuring the safety of Michiganders. According to recent polls, an overwhelming 75 percent of Michigan residents favor these protective measures, recognizing the need to prevent potentially dangerous individuals from accessing firearms. My vote reflects my dedication to listening to and representing the interests of my constituents,” MacDonell said.
“I am proud of my vote and am confident that the vast majority of my constituents support that vote. My job is to serve them and keep them safe. My vote in favor of Extreme Risk Protection Order (Red Flag) laws is a testament to my dedication to public safety, the well-being of my constituents, and my commitment to uphold the principles of representative democracy,” MacDonell continued. “I urge people to consider the broader context and the strong support for ERPO laws when evaluating the recall petition.”
To recall a lawmaker, following tightening of the recall law in 2012 under former Gov. Rick Snyder, petitioners must get the petition language approved by the board of canvassers, and then collect within 60 days the signatures – all in the representative's district – equal to 25 percent of all votes cast for governor in the representative's district in the 2022 election.
“I've been targeted for doing my job – I don't think this is the purpose of recall,” MacDonell said. “A representative democracy is built on the foundation of elected officials making informed decisions on behalf of their constituents. While recall petitions are an inherent part of this democratic process, they should not be used to undermine the will of the majority of voters by threatening to unseat their elected representative. Rather, they should be reserved for cases of misconduct or negligence.”
