Mich. Senate passes changes to recall elections

LANSING, Mich. (AP) -  

The Michigan Senate has approved legislation restricting recall elections amid opposition from nearly all Democrats and a few Republicans.

The GOP-led chamber passed the measures late Thursday. The legislation returns to the House to review changes.

One bill would prohibit recalls during the first or last six months of an elected official's two-year term or the first and last year of an official's four-year term. Another proposed change calls for a challenger to compete for the office against the official up for recall.

Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer accused Republicans of passing it to protect themselves from recall after approving an emergency manager replacement bill and right-to-work legislation limiting unions' power.

Sen. John Gleason was the lone Democratic supporter. He says everybody "should vote to end recalls in this state."