Recall
Recall is a process available in eighteen states and in local jurisdictions in most states whereby an elected official can be removed from office before the expiration of their term. Removal can be for malfeasance or in many jurisdictions for any action the recall language specifies. Having a recall process allows voters to maintain control over elected officials who are not representing their best interests, are unresponsive or incompetent, or in some cases have broken the law.
State officials can be recalled in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin. Virginia also allows recall petitions, but unlike other recall states the recall then goes to a judicial trial rather than a vote of the people. City officials can also be recalled in the District of Columbia.
For recalls, most state laws have set the highest signature threshold for any type of petition - most often requiring 25% of all registered voters or 25% of voters in the last election for the recalled office to sign a recall petition. Whenever a sufficient number of signatures are obtained a recall election is set when voters will be asked if they would like to remove the official. In some instances a replacement is chosen in the same election.
Recall differs from another method for removing officials from office - impeachment - in that it is a political/electoral device while impeachment is a legal process.
Recall Provisions By State
State | Who Can Be Recalled | Signature Requirement | Circulation Time |
Alaska | All but judicial officers | 25% of the votes cast in the last election for the official being recalled | Not specified |
Arizona | All | 25% of the votes cast in the last election for the official being recalled | 120 days |
California | All | For statewide officers: 12% of the votes cast in the last election for the official being recalled, 1% from each of 5 counties Others: 20% of the votes cast in the last election for the official being recalled | 160 days |
Colorado | All | 25% of the votes cast in the last election for the official being recalled | 60 days |
Georgia | All | For statewide officers: 15% of eligible voters for office at time of last election, 1/5 from each congressional district Others: 30% of eligible voters for office at time of last election | 90 days |
Idaho | All but judicial officers | 20% of eligible voters for office at time of last election | 60 days |
Kansas | All but judicial officers | 40% of the votes cast in the last election for the official being recalled | 90 days |
Louisiana | All but judicial officers | If over 1,000 eligible voters: 33.3% of eligible voters for office at time of last election 40% of eligible voters for office at time of last election
If fewer than 1,000 eligible voters: | 180 days |
Michigan | All but judicial officers | 25% of total votes cast for position at last election | 90 days |
Minnesota | State executive officers, legislators, judicial officers | 25% of total votes cast for position at last election | 90 days |
Montana | All | For statewide officers: 10% of eligible voters for office at time of last election 15% of eligible voters for office at time of last election
For district officers: | 3 months |
Nevada | All | 25% of the votes cast in the last election for the official being recalled | 60 days |
New Jersey | All | 25% of the registered voters in the electoral district of the official sought to be recalled | Governor or U.S. Senator: 320 days
All others: 160 days
|
North Dakota | All but U.S. Congress | 25% of the votes cast in the last election for the official being recalled | Not specified |
Oregon | All but U.S. Congress | 15% of total votes cast in officer’s district for all candidates for governor in the last election | 90 days |
Rhode Island | Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Attorney General | 15% of total votes cast for said office in last general election | 90 days |
Washington | All but judicial officers | For statewide officers: 25% of the votes cast in the last election for the official being recalled 35% of the votes cast in the last election for the official being recalled
Others: | Statewide officers: 270 days Others: 180 days
|
Wisconsin | All | For statewide officers: 25% of the votes cast for position in last election
Others:
25% of total votes cast for position of president at last election | 60 days |
Chart courtesy of the National Council of State Legislators.