CITIZENS CAN USE RECALL ELECTIONS TO REMOVE STATE POLITICIANS FROM OFFICE

Why not use recall elections to remove state officials that are not doing their jobs?

18 states already allow citizens to recall politicians.

One of the most recent instance was the recall of Calif. Gov. Gray Davis, who was replaced by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

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List of recall elections in the United States

• 1921 North Dakota recall
• 1978 Cleveland Recall Election
• 2003 California recall
• 2004 Venezuela recall
• 2005 recall of Spokane, Washington, mayor James E. West

In the eighteen U.S. states that today allow the recall of state officials, only two Governors have ever been successfully recalled. In 1921, North Dakota's Lynn J. Frazier was recalled over a dispute about state-owned industries, and in 2003, California Governor Gray Davis was recalled over mismanagement of the state budget.

In Alaska, Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Rhode Island, and Washington, specific grounds are required for a recall. Some form of malfeasance or misconduct while in office must be identified by the petitioner.

The target may choose to dispute the validity of the grounds in court, and a court would then judge whether the allegations in the petition rise up to the level where a recall is necessary.

In the other eleven states, no grounds are required and recalls may be circulated for any reason.

However, the target is permitted to submit responses to the reasons for recall. The minimum number of signatures and time limit to qualify a recall varies between states.

In addition, the means of how recalls are handled once they qualify differ. In some states, a recall triggers a simultaneous special election, where the vote on the recall, as well as the replacement, should the recall succeed are on the same ballot.

The 2003 California recall election is a good example of this, with over 100 candidates on the replacement portion of the ballot. In other states, a separate special election is held after the target is recalled, or a replacement is appointed by the Governor of the state or some other body.

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Identical proposals for constitutional amendments have been submitted in the Illinois House and Senate to that allows Illinois to join the other 18 states to recall politicians to remove the current governor.

http://www.wsiltv.com/p/news_details....
http://www.illinoisgovernorrecall.com/

Illinois Citizens to Recall Governor http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/20...

Identical proposals for constitutional amendments have been submitted in the House and Senate. The Senate resolution for a constitutional amendment was introduced by state Sen. Dan Cronin, R-Elmhurst, on Monday and was shrugged off by the Blagojevich administration as partisan politics and a stunt.

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn is supporting the legislation. And while it is true that the sponsors of the Senate resolution are all Republicans from Northern Illinois, the House resolution was introduced by a Democrat from McHenry County, state Rep. Jack D. Franks. Franks introduced his measure nearly a week before the Republicans.

The proposed amendment would permit a recall of not only the governor but any elected members of the executive branch, legislators and judges.

For statewide office holders, a recall petition would need the signatures of at least 12 percent of the last vote for the office.

The signatures must come from at least five counties equal to at least 1 percent of the last vote for the office in the county. In other words, a single heavily populated county could not trigger a recall on its own.

Having a special recall election would be an expensive proposition. But having an official in office in whom the public has lost confidence can be costly in incalculable ways.

As noted in a guest commentary by state Sen. Dan Rutherford last Sunday, in those states with recall provision, the tool has been used rarely. There is no reason to believe Illinois would be different.

The hurdles to triggering a recall are significant. Then a majority of voters must agree to unseat the individual. Only two governors have been removed by recall in U.S. history.

The most recent instance was the recall of Calif. Gov. Gray Davis, who was replaced by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

It would be good for Illinois to have this process. Even if voters don't resort to a recall, knowing the option is there could make these public officials more responsive to the public.

I wonder how many U.S. Congressmen California would lose if illegals were deported before the 2010 census?