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Essay:Why Recall Elections Are Essential (view source)

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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.

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A '''recall election''' is a special election resulting from a petition drive by the people to "recall" or fire a public official. 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.

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The justifications for recall elections range from the philosophical to the practical:

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*public officials are public ''servants'', meaning they serve at the whim of the master (the people)

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*recall elections provide greater accountability, which is desirable

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*without a recall mechanism, there is no check and balance on contempt by the public official for the people

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*without a recall mechanism, there is no way for the people to deal with an incapacitated official who refuses to resign

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*recall elections have been very successful when used, as in recalling a California Chief Justice (Bird) and Governor (Davis), and a corrupt North Dakota Governor (in 1921)

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*recall elections are the only meaningful deterrent against lying by candidates during campaigns, or candidates switching parties after election

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In 2010, Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI) sponsored a Voters’ Bill of Rights package ("HJR 71") to support and expand a recall mechanism for congressmen.

[[Category:Essays]]

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