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Glossary of recall terms
From Ballotpedia
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This page contains a list of terms commonly used in the recall process as well as definitions for each term.
- Approved: The recall election was approved at the ballot. This means that enough voters cast ballots in favor of removing the targeted officeholder from office to meet the required threshold for removal.
- Circulate petitions: In order to get a recall on the ballot, recall supporters must circulate petitions in order to collect signatures from citizens of the relevant district. There is usually a specific number of signatures required as well as a deadline by which those signatures must be submitted.
- Clarity hearing: Some states require courts to rule on recall petition language before the petitions are circulated. A judge will review the reasons listed for recall and rule on whether or not the meaning is clear to anyone who would sign the petition. Recall supporters will only be able to circulate the petitions if they are approved in the clarity hearing.
- Defeated: The recall election was defeated at the ballot. This means that an insufficient number of voters cast ballots in favor of removing the targeted officeholder, so that person will remain in office.
- Grounds: In some states that allow recall, a recall can only occur under certain circumstances, such as malfeasance or misconduct while in office. Click here to see a list of grounds required in specific states.
- Impeachment: This is a legislative process used to remove an officeholder from office. It is different from the citizen-initiated recall process that petitions election authorities to hold a recall election allowing voters to determine whether or not an officeholder should be removed from office.
- Recall petition: Paperwork where signatures are collected. Depending on the state, a specific format is usually required to collect citizen names, addresses, and signatures. The reasons for recall are also usually required to be included on recall petitions.
- Recall notice/notice of intent: Some states require recall supporters to file and/or publish a notice of intent to recall an officeholder. This notice will detail the reasons for the recall effort and name the targeted officeholders. The notice usually begins the recall effort before petitions are approved for circulation.
