Recall Election

Explanation

A recall election gives voters the power to remove an elected official mid-term by gathering a sufficient number of signatures and then holding a vote. If a majority votes to remove the official, they leave office and a replacement is chosen. Recall elections are most developed in the United States at the state and local level — California recalled Governor Gray Davis in 2003 (Arnold Schwarzenegger replaced him) and attempted to recall Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021. Most U.S. states and many municipalities have recall procedures for various offices. At the national level, recall mechanisms are rare. Venezuela's constitution includes a presidential recall provision, used unsuccessfully against Hugo Chávez in 2004.