Hamlin Township Trustee Recall Election Canceled After the Death of Johnaine Gurzynski, What Happens to the Seat

The November 3, 2026 recall election involving Hamlin Township Trustee Johnaine Gurzynski has been canceled after her unexpected death on September 23, 2026. Mason County Clerk Cheryl Kelly announced on Friday, September 25, that she had canceled the call to election for the trustee position.

This is a political recall election, not a product recall. There is nothing to return, refund or claim.

Because Gurzynski’s death created a vacancy on the Hamlin Township Board, the recall process for her seat ended, and the trustee contest will not appear on the November 3 ballot.

Last Updated: October 5, 2026

Hamlin Township Trustee Recall: Quick Facts

Detail	What is verified
Official	Johnaine Gurzynski, Hamlin Township Trustee, age 68
Location	Hamlin Township, Mason County, Michigan
Date of death	September 23, 2026
Canceled election	November 3, 2026 recall election for her trustee seat
Who canceled it	Mason County Clerk Cheryl Kelly
Candidates who were to face her	Pat Barcelli and Cynthia Tanner, both with no party affiliation
Recall petitioner	Hamlin Township resident Greg Collins
Deadline to fill the vacancy	Monday, November 9, 2026 (45 days)
Term of the seat	Ends December 1, 2028
Still on the ballot	Separate recall election for Township Treasurer Susan Ptaszenski

Why Was the Hamlin Township Trustee Recall Election Canceled?

A recall election asks voters about an official who is in office. Once Gurzynski died, there was no incumbent to recall. Clerk Kelly said the vacancy ended the recall process for that seat, so the trustee contest won’t be on the November 3 ballot. Kelly’s office is working with the Michigan Bureau of Elections on how the change affects the ballot.

The cancellation doesn’t decide whether the recall allegations were true or false.

What Were the Recall Allegations Against Trustee Gurzynski?

Greg Collins filed recall petitions earlier in 2026. Revised language filed in May alleged that Gurzynski disclosed deliberations from a closed session during the January 15, 2026 township board meeting. The closed session involved township attorney Jacob Witte and a consent judgment involving Six and Stones LLC. The revised petition received enough valid signatures to place the seat on the November 3 ballot, and Kelly issued the official call to election in August.

These were allegations in a recall petition, not findings by a court or the election commission that she broke any law.

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How Will Hamlin Township Fill the Trustee Vacancy?

Michigan election law requires the township board to appoint someone to fill a vacancy in an elective township office. According to Clerk Kelly:

• The Hamlin Township Board has 45 days to appoint, and the deadline is Monday, November 9, 2026.
• The appointee must be a registered and qualified elector of Hamlin Township, meaning someone who meets the constitutional qualifications to vote and has lived in the township at least 30 days.
• An appointee serves the remainder of the unexpired term, which ends December 1, 2028.

Will There Be a Special Election for Gurzynski’s Seat?

Only if the board doesn’t fill the vacancy in time. If the 45-day period passes without an appointment, Kelly is required to call a special election. She said it would be held May 4, 2027, with Hamlin Township responsible for the costs. A person elected in a special election would serve the rest of the term.

If the board makes a valid appointment by November 9, a special election wouldn’t be needed. I haven’t found a report naming an appointee as of October 5, 2026.

Is the Susan Ptaszenski Treasurer Recall Still on the November 3 Ballot?

Yes. The separate recall election involving Township Treasurer Susan Ptaszenski, who is being challenged by Tim Walden (no party affiliation), is still scheduled for November 3. The ballot also includes the township clerk position.

What Should Hamlin Township Voters Do Now?

1. Check your ballot. The trustee recall contest won’t appear on it, and the clerk’s office is working with the state on the change.
2. Confirm what is still on your ballot, including the treasurer recall.
3. Watch township notices for the board’s appointment decision.
4. Contact the Mason County Clerk with ballot or voting questions.

I couldn’t verify details on reprinted or revised absentee ballots, so confirm those with the Mason County Clerk or the Hamlin Township Clerk.

Hamlin Township Trustee Recall Timeline

Date	Event
January 15, 2026	Township board meeting cited in the revised recall petition
May 2026	Revised recall petition language filed
August 2026	Clerk Kelly issues the official call to election
September 23, 2026	Trustee Gurzynski dies
September 25, 2026	Clerk Kelly cancels the trustee recall election
November 3, 2026	Treasurer recall remains on the ballot
November 9, 2026	Deadline for the township board to appoint a trustee
May 4, 2027	Special election date if the vacancy isn’t filled in time
December 1, 2028	End of the unexpired trustee term

Hamlin Township Trustee Recall: Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the recall election canceled?

 Trustee Johnaine Gurzynski died on September 23, 2026, creating a vacancy and ending the recall for her seat.

Does the cancellation mean the allegations were proven or disproven?

 No. They were petition allegations, and the cancellation doesn’t resolve them.

Who fills the seat?

 The Hamlin Township Board appoints a registered, qualified elector of the township within 45 days, by November 9, 2026.

How long will the appointee serve?

 Until December 1, 2028.

Will there be a special election? 

Only if the vacancy isn’t filled within 45 days. The clerk said it would be held May 4, 2027.

Is the treasurer recall canceled too? 

No. It is still scheduled for November 3.

Where can I get official information?

 The Mason County Clerk’s Office for election and ballot questions, and the Hamlin Township Clerk and board notices for the appointment.

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Sources Used in This Hamlin Township Recall Article

• Mason County Press, “Recall election against Gurzynski canceled following her death,” September 26, 2026: https://www.masoncountypress.com/2026/09/26/recall-election-against-gurzynski-canceled-following-her-death/
• Michigan Election Law, MCL 168.370 (filling vacancies in elective township offices): https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-168-370.pdf
• Mason County Clerk’s Office and Hamlin Township official notices

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher and founder of AllAboutLawyer.com. All facts verified against Mason County Press’s September 26, 2026 report on the Mason County Clerk’s announcement, as of October 5, 2026. Last Updated: October 5, 2026.

Disclaimer: This is legal information, not legal advice. AllAboutLawyer.com is not a law firm. Election procedures can change, so rely on current notices from your county and township election officials.