MICHIGAN COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS "Promoting safe use and ownership of firearms through education, litigation, and legislation." MONDAY E'NEWS Legislative Recalls FAQ Q. Who are the recall attempts against? What are they being recalled for? A. There are currently eight recall attempts underway against Michigan representatives. The recall attempts against Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) and Rep. Sharon MacDonnell (D-Troy) are based on their anti-gun votes in support of Red Flag legislation. The five other Democrats are facing recall attempts based on their votes for amending Michigan's Hate Crimes law. The recall attempt against Rep. Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan) is coming from Republican activists in his northern Michigan district who feel he is too moderate. Q. Who is behind the recalls? Is this an organized campaign? A. All of the eight recall attempts have been initiated by local Republican party activists operating independently. They are happening at the same time due to the expiration of the six month statutory limit in July. Neither the Michigan Republican Party nor county Republican parties are organizing the recalls. To date, no advocacy organizations are known to be providing volunteers or funding although one recall organizer has stated he intends on working with the Michigan Conservation Union. Nonprofits like MCRGO are typically limited in providing support or opposition to political candidates. Q. What are the odds of the recalls being successful? A. The odds are long but certainly not impossible. Michigan Republicans recalled two Democratic senators in 1983, shifting control of the State Senate for the next four decades. But of the 76 recall attempts against legislators since 2007, only one was successful. That was a MEA organized campaign against former Republican Rep. Paul Scott in 2011. Due to Scott's recall, Michigan Republicans amended the state's recall laws in 2012 to make it much more difficult to recall legislators by reducing the window in which petition signatures can be collected. This past Tuesday, the State Board of Canvassers denied initial petitions against the seven Democrats due to lack of specificity in the petition language and only approved the petition language against the lone Republican. With a razor thin 56-54 majority, the recall of just one Democratic legislator could shift control of the Michigan House as two other Democratic legislators are running for election to local office this year. Q. Is it true that recall attempts could actually benefit targeted legislators? A. As soon as recall language is approved against a legislator, it starts a special, new fundraising period in which the targeted legislator is allowed to raise an unlimited sum of money. Gretchen Whitmer took advantage of that law last year to begin early and aggressive campaign spending that resulted in her double digit percentage win over Republican Tudor Dixon. A recall attempt can also assist the targeted legislator in terms of political organization, benefitting their 2024 re-election, provided they survive the recall attempt. This week the State Board of Canvassers denied initial recall petition language against 7 of 8 legislators. MCRGO Election Update MCRGO's 2023 Board Election ballot was emailed to all current MCRGO members at their email address on file this past Tuesday, August 1 at noon. Nearly 500 members have already voted. Current members who did not receive a ballot may wish to email the Executive Director at [email protected] for a replacement if they cannot find it in their email Spam or Trash folders. Note that this Monday E'News is sent to a public list and does not necessarily reflect current member status. You can determine if you are a current MCRGO member HERE (the search boxes are case sensitive). The election concludes at noon on Thursday, August 31. Results will be posted in the Monday, September 4 E'News. Thank you to all who have voted already. Reminders will be emailed weekly to those who have yet to vote. UPCOMING EVENTS MCRGO Upper Peninsula Picnic Sunday, September 17, 2023 from 11 AM to 1 PM CDT at location (12 PM to 2 PM EDT) Sagola Township Sportsmen's Club; W8470 Sawyer Lake Road; Channing, MI Open to MCRGO members and the public at no cost, no RSVP is necessary. MCRGO Fall Firearms Festival Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 11 AM to 4 PM EDT Kickin' Brass Gun Range; 2881 N. Portage Rd.; Leoni, MI (Jackson County) Open to MCRGO members and the public at no cost, no RSVP is necessary. MCRGO Annual Meeting Friday, December 1, 2023 from 11 AM to 2 PM EST Coral Gables Restaurant; 2838 Grand River Ave.; East Lansing, MI 48823 Only open to MCRGO members. Due to limited seating, please RSVP to [email protected]. MCRGO will provide a pizza & salad buffet with coffee, pop, and water. Donations voluntary. MCRGO | PO Box 2294, Grand Rapids, MI 49501 [email protected] Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!