Can you recall the last recall?
Critical Analysis
According to the visual above, how many states allow for elections to recall (fire) their governor?
According to the visual above, do more states have recall elections or not?
Recall is a procedure that allows citizens to remove and replace a public official before the official’s term of office ends. Recall differs from another method for removing officials from office—impeachment—which typically requires a state legislature’s lower chamber to bring specific charges, and the upper chamber to act as the jury in an impeachment trial. In contrast, in most of the 19 recall states specific grounds for recall are not required, and the recall of a state official is accomplished through an election. Based on the data from the visual below* do you think Governor Newsom will be recalled (fired)?
Governor Gavin Newsom has great hair. He was elected governor of California in 2018 and can run for reelection in 2022. Currently, approximately 57% of Californians approve of the job he is doing as governor, and 37% disapprove of him. Today, Californians will go to the poll for a recall election of Governor Newsom. What is the reason for the recall election of Governor Newsom anway?
The September 14, 2021, California Gubernatorial Recall Election ballot will have two parts. There will be a recall question presented on the ballot: “Shall GAVIN NEWSOM be recalled (removed) from the office of Governor? Following that recall question, all qualified replacement candidates for the office of governor will be listed. If a majority of the votes on the recall question are “Yes,” Governor Newsom shall be removed from office and the replacement candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected for the remainder of the governor’s term of office (ending January 2, 2023). If one-half or more of the votes on the recall question are “No,” Governor Newsom shall remain in office. Does that seem like a good system to elect the leader of a state government?
Democracy is government by, for and of the people. Representative democracy is a government for the people who vote on politicians who then govern. Direct democracy is a system where people vote directly on policy and issues, cutting out the need for politicians. Explain whether a recall election is more an example of direct democracy or representative democracy?
In the U.S. we tend to vote for politicians at fixed intervals: U.S. House every two years; U.S. Senate every, 6; etc. When we have a recall, we basically skip directly from one election to a new election. Do you generally support the idea of recall elections?
Gavin Newsome is (for now) the Democratic Governor of one of most liberal American states. If he is recalled, he will likely be replaced by a conservative Republican governor. Describe policies governors can influence in their states and how do you think a conservative California governor could impact California policies?
In general, how do you think the mere threat of a recall election impacts politics and politicians in those states?
Consider the following states and explain which state recall system is best:
NC - does not allow recall elections. Governors are elected for four year terms.
Alaska - does allow recall elections but only with cause (certain reasons) such as corruption.
Nevada - allows recall elections with no cause (reason).
Cali - allows recall election with no cause but requires petition with signatures equal to 12% of the voters from last governor’s election collected within 160 days.
Learning Extension
Everything you ever wanted to know about the California Recall Election
Action Extension
Contact your state legislators and let them know what you think about recall election law in your state.