Laws governing recall in Connecticut
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A recall election is the process by which citizens may remove elected officials from office before the expiration of their terms. This article summarizes the laws governing recall elections in Connecticut. Connecticut allows for the recall of local officials in municipalities that were granted "home rule" powers by the Connecticut State Legislature, and does not allow for the recall of state officials.[1]
In 39 states, local officials can be subject to recall elections. Of those, 19 also permit recalls of state-level officials. Eleven states do not permit recalls of elected officials at any level. Click here for more information.
Offices subject to recall
Federal officials
The U.S. Constitution does not provide for the recall of elected federal officials. While some state constitutions have stated that their citizens have the right to recall members of Congress, the Supreme Court has never ruled on whether such recalls are constitutional.[2] Ballotpedia does not provide coverage of federal recalls. Click here for more information.
State officials
Connecticut law does not provide for the recall of state officials.[3]
Local officials
The municipalities of Bristol, Milford, New Haven, Stratford, and Westport allow recalls.[4]
Process
No specific grounds are required for recall in Connecticut. Recalls are only allowed in the state's home-rule cities, a power that is granted by the Connecticut State Legislature. Because of this, recall laws vary by city charter.[5]
Legislation involving recall elections
The table below lists bills related to recall elections in Connecticut. The following information is included for each bill:
- State
- Bill number
- Official bill name or caption
- Most recent action date
- Legislative status
- Sponsor party
- Topics dealt with by the bill
Bills are organized by most recent action. The table displays up to 100 results. To view more bills, use the arrows in the upper-right corner. Clicking on a bill will open its page on Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker, which includes bill details and a summary.
See also
What are recalls?
Recall efforts
Ballotpedia's Recall Report
Recalls by state
Recalls by office
Recall laws
Footnotes
- ↑ Connecticut Post, "Petition drive started to recall education board member," June 15, 2010
- ↑ Congressional Research Service, "Recall of Legislators and the Removal of Members of Congress from Office," January 5, 2012
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Recall of State Officials," September 15, 2021
- ↑ Connecticut General Assembly, "Recall of Municipal Elected Officials," September 28, 2012
- ↑ Connecticut Post, "Petition drive started to recall education board member," June 15, 2010
