Recalling elected officials in Arizona – and Maricopa

Recall is a procedure allowing citizens to remove and replace elected officials prior to the end of their terms of office. The process is used most frequently at the local level, including Maricopa where two recalls are either ongoing or wrapping up.

Committee members seeking the recall of City Councilman Joseph Estes indicate they have about half of the 53 signatures needed and will be working to obtain more this week.

The Independent Political Action Committee to Recall Timothy P. White (see related story) has approximately 700 petition signatures, according to committee member Jake Romero, and will be acquiring a few more than the 606 required to cover any ineligible signers.

Thursday that petition goes to the Pinal County Elections Department for validation. After that process is completed, the county notifies both the committee and White that the recall is in progress and scheduled for ballot in November. White then has 60 days to respond or resign.

Government estimates put three-fourths of recall elections at the city council or school board level; 36 states permit recall of local officials.

Los Angeles was the first municipality to organize a recall in 1903. Michigan and Oregon were the first states to utilize recall elections in 1908 while Minnesota began the process more recently, in 1996.

In Arizona the provision for recall is made in both the Arizona Constitution and the Arizona Revised Statutes (Const. Art. 8, §1-6; Ariz. Rev. Stat. §19-201 – 19-23). A recall may commence after an individual has been in office six months, and no specific grounds are required. The time for gathering signatures, which must be equal in number to 25 percent of the votes cast for that office in the last regular election, is 120 days.

The recall election in Arizona is held simultaneously with an election for the official’s successor. The name of the recalled individual is automatically placed on the ballot for election. In other states the question is whether or not the individual should be recalled; if so, the office is declared vacant, and a subsequent election is scheduled.

Recall proponents believe that the process provides a means for citizens to retain control over elected officials “who are not representing the best interests of their constituents or are either unresponsive or incompetent.” Specific grounds for recall are required in only seven states although 18 states permit the recall of state officials.

Opponents of recall as a political device say it can lead to an “excess of democracy,” potentially well-financed by special interest groups, while lessening the independence of elected officials and undermining their intentions due to the threat of recall.

In order to sign a recall petition or to vote in any election, including a recall, residents must be registered voters. Click here for Arizona voter registration information.