Recall Facts

In 1911, the voters of California approved a process for recalling elected officials. It was part of a Progressive reform movement led by then Governor Hiram Johnson who wanted to reclaim power from the railroads and political bosses of the time.

California politics has long since evolved, but the recall process unfortunately remains the same. Ironically, a process devised to curtail the power of wealthy, opportunistic individuals is now being used by those very same individuals a century later.

In California, recall proponents need only draft a petition in order to initiate recall proceedings. Any “reason” can be used to oust a duly elected state official. The petition does not have to allege malfeasance, illegal activity, or even incompetence. Consequently, personality and emotions can become far more important than an electoral process of full and fair elections.

The overwhelming majority of states do not even allow for recall of their elected officials. California is one of only 18 states with such a provision. There is no provision for the recall of federal officials.

States that do allow for a recall typically require signatures of 25% of the number of people who voted in the last election for the office being recalled. In California, however, a recall election requires the signatures of only 12% of the number of people who voted in the previous election. And the law does not even require that the petitions be signed by voters who actually cared enough to take part in the earlier election - any registered voter will do, even a voter who only registers in order sign the recall petition. Moreover, California law also allows the signatures to be gathered by professionals receiving a fee for each signature obtained.

As a result, the California recall process allows for the removal of its duly elected officials upon little more than a whim. Even worse, the meager threshold requirements for initiating an election mean that wealthy individuals can virtually purchase a new election whenever they choose. This process is terribly outdated, unfair to our elected officials and ultimately deprives our electorate of the genuine democratic process this state deserves.