Total Recall
One of our Chalkboard regulars asked me to start up a conversation on recall elections. It's certainly worth us talking about, so here goes:
Rep. John Blust (R-Guilford) has sponsored a bill that would allow recall elections in North Carolina. The bill would apply to any elected office in the state, including school board members. Mr. Blust sponsored a similar bill in 2003, but it didn't win approval.
And if you're interested in voicing an opinion on this subject, you can contact your representatives here and your state senator here.
Forget the obvious question, "Should we recall members of the Guilford County Board of Education?" I think I know how most of you would respond.
The real question is, "Should North Carolina have recall elections?" I can see definite pros and cons to having recall elections. Obviously, they give the public more power. But they also create the potential for constant turmoil.
What's your take?
Comments (11)
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Bruce,
You state, "But they also create the potential for constant turmoil"
Remember - California has a recall option. How many times do you remember them recalling a governor? Only once that I can remember.
I don't think it would cause constant turmoil. I think it's a safety net to allow the voters and citizens the ability to express their constitutional right outside of an election year.
A candidate who makes promises that are broken upon election should not have the uncontested option of remaining in office for 4 years until the next election.
There needs to be a legal recourse.
Perhaps elected officials will pay closer attention to their constituents if they know there is a possibility of recall.
Posted on May 3, 2005 7:52 AM
For example:
Ms. Kris Cooke. She's cooked up the biggest lie to date. How she can sleep at night or sit on the board by day, is beyond me.
If she had any sense at all, she'd resign. And tell her buddies Susan and Dotty to go with her. It's a toss up which one is the most deceitful to their constituents.
I'm all for recall elections. Where do I cast my vote?
Posted on May 3, 2005 10:40 AM
To cast your vote, just click on the links Bruce provided. To do more than cast your vote, I urge you to spread the word and tell everyone you know to contact their legislators and show their support for this bill. Start an e-mail chain -give everyone the email addresses and phone numbers for their legislators. Make it easy.
But, it will take more than just the support of Guilford County to pass this bill. We are in the process of contacting groups and individuals in the Charlotte/Mecklenberg, Wake and Wilmington areas. We are hoping for support from the GCAE as well. If you would like to help a little more, drop me a line - I have a couple more easy ideas.
Time is short, this will be voted on in just 2 weeks and if it is defeated again, it cannot be reintroduced until Jan/Feb 2007.
We can make a difference - this is exactly how the school calendar bill got passed last year - groundswell of support from us regular people.
Posted on May 3, 2005 3:52 PM
Cheryl,
What is the number for this bill?
Thanks
Posted on May 3, 2005 5:20 PM
Dick,
It is House #H978 "Recall Elections". I still have not confirmed when the vote is scheduled.
Posted on May 3, 2005 5:28 PM
Not to throw a wrench in the works, but North Carolina already has recall elections in some cases. Check out Greensboro's city charter, which allows for recall elections, as well as iniative petitions.
Of course, that just covers Greensboro. I imagine another way of going about this, if you were inclined to do so, would be to get a local bill to change Guilford County (or any other county's for that matter) charter to allow for recall elections. But I'm not a lawyer and haven't done a whole lot or research, so someone may come along with a good reason why one couldn't do that.
Posted on May 3, 2005 11:29 PM
Not to throw another wrench in, but this bill does not apply to local school boards. It only deals with elective offices created by the state constitution. Local offices -- except sheriff -- are created by the legislature rather than by the constitution.
Rep. Blust told me yesterday that the bill was written as it was when he first introduced it two years ago in order to avoid opposition from the league of municipalities and state county commissioner and school board associations. He did say he might seek to amend the bill in committee so that it does cover local offices. Doing so would invite opposition from those groups mentioned, he said, but he added he doesn't expect the bill to pass anyway. As a proposed constitutional amendment, it requires three-fifth votes in both the house and senate.
Posted on May 4, 2005 8:49 AM
Doug,
I have already contacted Mr. Blust and have asked him to amend his bill to include local municipalities.
The only local politicians that should oppose this bill are the ones NOT doing their job!
On to another subject after watching the board of education meeting last night, I am convinced that High Point will once again get the shaft if the citizens do not stand up and start making some noise.
Dr. Grier said during the budget meeting that some "comments" made last year concerning the 65 minute bus rides for the High Point students were just that "comments" and some misunderstood them to be promises.
Well I guess since we did not get a pinky promise last year now we are going to have LONGER bus rides if Dr. Grier has his way.
Ronda
Posted on May 4, 2005 2:28 PM
JUST IN!!!!
John Blust is going to amend his bill to include local municipalities!
This bill needs support to be passed!
If we the citizens are not happy with our elected officials (including school board)this bill WILL GIVE US RECOURSE if passed.
This means the citizens of North Carolina need to get on the horn and start writing.
Let your representatives know we want this on the ballot in 2006!
Posted on May 4, 2005 2:38 PM
A letter has been drafted to be distributed to as many North Carolina voters as possible - as quickly as possible - including those in Charlotte/Mecklenberg and Raleigh/Wake areas. Please do your best to forward this information & get the word out!
Attention North Carolina Voters,
Representative John Blust of Guilford County has introduced a Bill (House #H978) that will allow voters the “right” to RECALL elected officials. This bill needs support and is long over due in North Carolina.
This Bill will allow voters the right to a RECALL ELECTION simply by creating a petition signed by at least 25% of qualified voters in the represented area.
The Bill would allow you to hold your elected officials (including County Commissioners and School Board members) to a higher standard.
If you are unhappy with your current local officials, or if they are not delivering on their campaign promises to you, this is your chance to make a difference.
CALL and WRITE your representatives NOW. This Bill will be up for a vote in only a few short days. Tell your representative that you support Bill #H978-- and you want to see it on your 2006 Ballot!
Rep. Alma Adams 919-733-5902 Almaa@ncleg.net 273-9280 (h)
Rep. Laura Wiley 919-733-5877 lauraw@ncleg.net 841-0045 (h)
Rep. Earl Jones 919-733-5825 Earlj@ncleg.net 273-0840 (h)
Rep. Maggie Jeffus 919-733-5191 Maggiej@ncleg.net 275-4762 (h)
Rep. Pricy Harrison 919-733-5771 priceyh@ncleg.net 292-1953 (h)
Rep. John Blust 919-733-5806 johnbl@ncleg.net 662-0368 (h)
Sen. Kay Hagan 919-733-5856 Kayh@ncleg.net
Sen. Katie Dorsett 919-715-3042 Katied@ncleg.net 275-0628 (h)
Sen. Stan Bingham 919-733-5665 stanb@ncleg.net 859-0999 (h)
Sen. Phil Berger 919-733-5708 philbe@ncleg.net 623-5210 (h)
Posted on May 5, 2005 8:44 AM
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Posted on June 21, 2006 3:22 AM