State board finds recall petition against Mecosta County drain commissioner sufficiently clear

The Board of State Canvassers reviewed and approved the sufficiency of a recall petition filed by Rupert Bagosian Jr. against Mecosta County Drain Commissioner Carla Miller during its April 3 meeting.

Director Brater summarized that the petition language matched the April 3, 2025 minutes of the Mecosta County Board of Commissioners and noted the statutory timing windows that govern recall filings. Board members discussed whether the petition provided sufficiently clear factual allegations to enable electors and the officer targeted to identify the conduct cited; members concluded it was factual and clear enough.

A board member moved that "the reasons for recall printed on the petition submitted by Rupert Bagoshyan Jr. against Mecosta County Drain Commissioner Carla Miller on March 5th, 2026 are factual and sufficiently clear because they track the language from the county commission minutes." The motion was seconded and the board voted in favor.

The Bureau emphasized its neutral role in assessing form, factual correspondence with minutes, and statutory timing; the board did not comment on the merits of the recall beyond sufficiency and clarity. The board also noted that recall petitions for elected county officials are submitted to the State Board of Canvassers and that circulators must use the correct form or the circulator must indicate the relevant city/township on the proof of circulation.

Outcome: motion moved, seconded and approved by the board; no further administrative action on remedies or merits was taken at the meeting.