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Missouri voters can't follow California and hold governor recall election

October 7, 2003
By: Megan Clarke
State Capital Bureau

While California makes it look easy to recall a governor, Missouri couldn't necessarily follow suit. Megan Clarke explains.

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Missouri has no state law allowing a governor recall election. Right now, the only way to remove a governor is through the impeachment process.

Representative Bob May, who chairs the House Elections Committee, says some voters see a need for recall elections especially for local politics.

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I WOULD SAY IF IT WERE POSSIBLE THERE ARE PROBABLY A NUMBER OF INSTANCES WHERE PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO. I DON'T HEAR ANY CLAMORING TO DO THAT. OCCASIONALLY YOU'LL HEAR IN MORE LOCAL OFFICES WHERE PEOPLE ARE DISSATISFIED AND WOULD LIKE TO USE A MECHANISM LIKE THAT.

In order to hold recall elections, state constitution would first have to be changed and approved by voters.

Date:10/7/03

By: Megan Clarke

State Capital Bureau

Removing a Missouri governor from office is a little more difficult than California's recall election. Megan Clarke explains.

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Missouri voters could not follow in California's footsteps even if it wanted to. Director of Elections Betsy Beyers says the state has no governor recall election provisions, but does allow recall elections for a few other political offices.

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YOU CAN RECALL SOME OFFICERS IN THIRD-CLASS CITIES, FIREBOARDS, AND AN ENTIRE SCHOOL BOARD THAT'S BEEN DECLARED DEFICIENT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THAT'S IT.

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Beyers says in order to hold a governor recall election, state statutes must first be changed. Currently, the only way to remove a Missouri governor is through impeachment by lawmakers.

Date:10/07/03

By: Megan Clarke

State Capital Bureau

This week California proved it can be done. However, holding a governor recall election in Missouri is a little more difficult. Megan Clarke explains.

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Unlike California, a Missouri governor could not be removed through a petition process. Director of Election Betsy Beyers says the state has no governor recall election laws, but does allow recall elections for a few other political offices.

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YOU CAN RECALL SOME OFFICERS IN THIRD-CLASS CITIES, FIREBOARDS, AND AN ENTIRE SCHOOL BOARD THAT'S BEEN DECLARED DEFICIENT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THAT'S IT.

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Currently, the only way a governor in Missouri can be removed is through impeachment by lawmakers. Voters could not particpate in the process.

Representative Bob May, who chairs the House Elections Committee, says he doesn't question the current process excluding voters.

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I THINK IT PROBABLY SERVES US WELL. AND I DON'T SEE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

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Representative May does say that some voters may see a need for recall elections especially at the local level.

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I WOULD SAY IF IT WERE POSSIBLE THERE ARE PROBABLY A NUMBER OF INSTANCES WHERE PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO. I DON'T HEAR ANY CLAMORING TO DO THAT. OCCASIONALLY YOU'LL HEAR IN MORE LOCAL OFFICES WHERE PEOPLE ARE DISSATISFIED AND WOULD LIKE TO USE A MECHANISM LIKE THAT.

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In order to hold a recall election like California, the Missouri state constitution must first be changed and approved by voters.