Special Recall Election 2025
Next date: Tuesday, November 04, 2025 | 07:00 AM
to 08:00 PM
November 4, 2025
The City of Mesa will hold a Special Recall Election (“Recall Election”) on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, to fill the remainder of the District Two unexpired term ending in January 2029. The candidate receiving the most votes, which could be the incumbent, will begin office on the day after the Canvass of Votes for the Recall Election.
Every public officer holding an elective office is subject to recall by the qualified electors of the electoral district of that office. On January 30, 2025, an application was submitted for recall petition for Councilmember Julie Spilsbury, City of Mesa District Two Councilmember with a statement of the grounds for the demand of recall.
Grounds for demand of recall of Julie Spilsbury:
Julie Spilsbury, as an elected official, used her political office to advance private interests: voted yes on November 6, 2023 for Ordinance 5817, authorizing a change in use from a hotel to a social service facility for temporary homeless housing; voted yes on December 2, 2024 for Ordinance numbers 5832 to 5838 to be adopted which raised Mesa utility rate structures; voted yes on December 11, 2024 for ordinance 5840 raising city council salaries.
A total of 3,858 signers were verified and certified to be qualified electors at the time of signing the petition, exceeding the 3,070 minimum number of signatures required by Arizona law for a recall election. The officer subject to the recall, Councilmember Julie Spilsbury, has provided a statement defending her official conduct.
Councilmember Julie Spilsbury’s response:
For nearly five years, I’ve proudly served as your Councilmember with passion and integrity. I’m honored you’ve elected me twice by large margins.
Now, a special-interest group, funded by out-of-state money and using paid petitioners, wants to recall me. Recalls exist primarily for when elected officials commit egregious acts that violate the oath of office. Let’s be clear: this recall isn’t about wrongdoing. It’s because I defeated the group’s preferred candidate last July. They want to overturn that result and are willing to waste hundreds of thousands of your tax dollars to do it.
The recall petition cites three of my votes on the City Council. Two of those votes were approved unanimously (7–0), including support from Mayor Mark Freeman. The third vote funded emergency shelter for homeless domestic violence survivors, children, and veterans. I will always support Mesa’s most vulnerable.
No Councilmember can please everyone. But, I’ve listened to your input, studied each issue carefully, and voted for what I believe is best for our community. I’ll continue to serve you with that same dedication—and I respectfully ask for your support and your vote. Thank you!
City Council Calls Special Recall Election
On July 8, 2025, the City Council called a special recall election, as required by law, to be held on the next following consolidated election date that is 90 days or more from the date of the call of the election, which is to be held on November 4, 2025. This Recall Election is for the qualified voters of District Two to determine whether District Two Councilmember Julie Spilsbury shall serve the remainder of her term in office or be recalled. Resolution 12400 to Call the Election includes detailed information about recall process, certified results of the recall petition, and sample ballot language.
The Recall Election will be conducted by Maricopa County Elections Department in consolidation with any other elections as a ballot-by-mail election as determined by the County. The general cost of the ballot-by-mail election set by the County is $2.12 per registered voter in District Two. Currently, the total registered voters in Council District Two is 49,329, which would equal a minimum cost of $104,577 to conduct the election.
Candidates Seeking Nomination
Candidates seeking to have their name placed as an official candidate on the Recall Election ballot may do so by submitting nomination paperwork and a nomination petition in compliance with state law. Candidates must file their nomination paperwork no sooner than August 6, 2025, and no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 5, 2025, at the Office of the City Clerk, 20 E. Main Street, Mesa, AZ to have their petitions verified.
Citizens interested in running for office in the City of Mesa should begin by making an appointment with the City Clerk where she will review the nomination process and forms, guide candidates to helpful resources and answer any questions.
Candidate Eligibility Requirements
To qualify as a candidate for Councilmember District Two in Mesa, you must be:
- A qualified and registered voter of the City of Mesa;
- Registered to vote no later than the date of the first signature on the nomination petitions;
- A resident within the City or annexed area of Council District Two for at least two years immediately preceding filing nomination papers and shall continue such residence wherein for the term for which such candidate is elected. Locate your Council District here.
- Collect a minimum of 246 qualified signatures on a nomination petition. Prior to collecting any signatures, candidates must file a Statement of Interest with the Office of the City Clerk.
Candidates Who Have Filed Statement of Interest Forms
Official Candidates on the Ballot
- Spilsbury, Julie
- Taylor, Dorean
Certification of Candidates(PDF, 21KB)
Sample Ballot(PDF, 344KB)
When
-
Tuesday, November 04, 2025 | 07:00 AM
- 08:00 PM