Recall Elections

2011 – The Year of Recalls

The Stats:

2011 was a great year for recalls. There were at least 150 recalls in 2011. 

84 officials bounced 75 officials voted out 9 officials resigning from office in the face of recallsRecalls were held in 17 states, in 73 separate jurisdictions The state with most was Michigan, with at least 30 recalls 30 mayors faced recalls 17 recalls were school boards 11 were state legislators (by far the record -- the previous high was 3 in one year) 52 were city council members One local prosecutor 34 jurisdictions held recalls on multiple days

Origins and History

The actual origins of the recall is shrouded in conjecture. Some historians argue that it was derived historically from Greek and Latin sources. However, there are some that suggest the idea came from the Swiss.

In the United States, the first instance of the recall can be found in the laws of the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony of 1631, and again in the Massachusetts Charter of 1691.

Never gained enough support to be included in the U.S. Constitution

It was not until the early part of the twentieth century, when the country was faced with a very different set of circumstances, that the recall reemerged as a viable political option. By that time, the field of debate had shifted to the state level, with the people themselves possessing the power of the recall. But the focus of the debates and the nature of the arguments had remained the same

Small Group Activity

Working cooperatively Research the history and outcome or potential outcome of the two case studies listed below (select only one to research) Complete Recall Election handout

Case Studies

Gray Davis, CA Governor Scott Walker, WI Governor

What is a recall?

What are the rules and regulations for recall of the state you

selected?

Who financed the California/Wisconsin recall campaign?

When will/was the California/Wisconsin recall election be held?

How many candidates will be on the ballot?

What are/were the primary issues?

Are the complains against your respective governor

Should the governor be recalled, what percentage of the votes

will a replacement

candidate most likely need to win?

What are the campaign strategies of the following candidates?

Recall Election Activity Handout

In short-answer format, each student will answer the following question:

Resolved: “In respect to recall elections, I believe that this is not how the democratic process is supposed to work. Further, I believe that states allow recall elections for any reason at all do a disservice to the state and to democratic principles.”

Do you agree with the previous statement? Please defend your position.

Recall Election Activity Handout

As always, success on your paper will be determined by how well you balance your personal response (your thesis) with effective textual evidence and detail. Remember, you want to make your claim, and then support, illustrate, or elaborate on it with relevant quotations, reference examples, or factual data drawn from the fullest possible range of outside materials.