Paul Boyer recall, Arizona State Senate (2021)

Arizona State Senate recall
	Officeholders
	Paul Boyer
	Recall status
	Did not go to a vote
See also
	Recall overview; Political recall efforts, 2021; Recalls in Arizona; Arizona recall laws; State legislative recalls; Recall reports

Two efforts to recall Paul Boyer, a member of the Republican Party, from his elected position representing District 20 in the Arizona State Senate were launched in 2021. Supporters of both recalls had to collect 25,199 signatures to require a recall election.

The first recall started on February 11, 2021. Signatures for the recall were due June 11, 2021. Recall supporters criticized Boyer over violating his oath of office. No signatures were filed with the secretary of state's office by the deadline.^[1]
The second recall effort began on February 19, 2021. Signatures for the recall were due June 19, 2021. Recall supporters criticized Boyer over violating his oath of office, and over not representing the interests of his constituents and the state Republican Party. No signatures were filed with the secretary of state's office by the deadline.^[2]

Boyer was elected to the state Senate in 2018. He was re-elected in 2020 with 52.3% of the vote.

Recall supporters

First recall effort (ended)

The first recall effort was organized by a group called We the People AZ Alliance. The recall petition was filed with the Arizona Secretary of State’s office on February 11, 2021, by Shelby Bush and Eric Wnuck.^[3] The petition listed the following reasons for recall:

“	We the People seek to recall Senator Paul Boyer for violation of his oath of office A.R.S 38-231. He has disregarded the fundamental rights of Arizona citizens afforded by our United States and State of Arizona Constitution. We hereby withdraw our support.^[4]	”
—Paul Boyer Recall Petition Language^[3]

Second recall effort (ended)

The second recall effort was organized by a group called Patriot Party of Arizona. The recall petition was filed with the Arizona Secretary of State’s office on February 19, 2021, by Michael Mills, Steve Daniels, and Tanya Anderson.^[3] The petition listed the following reasons for recall:

“	Paul Boyer is a Republican Arizona State Senator who is refusing to uphold his oath of office in A.RS. 38-231. Paul Boyer is ignoring Arizona LD20 who voted for Donald Trump by 300 more votes in the 2020 election. Paul Boyer does not represent the interests of his consituents, neither does he represent the interest of LD20, nor does he represent the interest of the Arizona Republican Party.^[4]	”
—Paul Boyer Recall Petition Language^[3]

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing recall in Arizona

A recall can be filed against any public officer on any grounds. The recall may not be filed until after the elected official has been in office in his or her first term for at least six months. This six-month limit does not apply to state legislators. In the case of state legislators, a recall petition may commence five days after the start of their first legislative session after their election. In the case of other elected officials, there is no six-month limit for subsequent terms in office.^[5]

A recall petition must be filed at the office in which the officer being recalled files for nomination. The petition must contain a general statement explaining the recall, and it may not exceed 200 words. This petition must be signed by the sponsors who swear an oath that all signatures collected will be valid signatures.

The number of signatures required to qualify a recall attempt for the ballot is 25 percent of the number of votes cast in the last election for that office.

If enough signatures are gathered, a recall election will be held. All qualified candidates can run against the incumbent. Whoever gets the most votes wins the office. If the incumbent wins he/she remains in office and no other recall can take place during that term unless the proponents pay the cost of the prior recall election.

Election history

2020

General election

General election for Arizona State Senate District 20

Incumbent Paul Boyer defeated Douglas Ervin in the general election for Arizona State Senate District 20 on November 3, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Paul Boyer (R)	52.3	52,734
	Douglas Ervin (D)	47.7	48,059

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 100,793
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Arizona State Senate District 20

Douglas Ervin advanced from the Democratic primary for Arizona State Senate District 20 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Douglas Ervin	100.0	18,497

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 18,497
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Arizona State Senate District 20

Incumbent Paul Boyer advanced from the Republican primary for Arizona State Senate District 20 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Paul Boyer	100.0	20,242

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 20,242
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