Essay:Why Recall Elections Are Essential

A recall election is a special election resulting from a petition drive by the people to "recall" or fire a representative. Conceptually it is analogous to a master firing a servant. Typically the recall election requires a massive number of signatures (for example, 25% of all registered voters in New Jersey) and a majority vote in the special election. On the same day a replacement is chosen by the voters, and often (including New Jersey) the recalled official may be candidate for the election to replace him.