How to Recall a Governor

Voters get angry with their elected officials for a number of reasons and if those reasons are serious enough they can recall that official and remove him from office. Recalls are most common on the local level but it is possible to recall a governor.

Instructions

1. Reside in the correct state. Only 18 states in the United States and the District of Columbia allow for gubernatorial recalls. Only residents in one of these states may recall the governor.

2. Submit the reasons for the recall. In 7 of the 18 states you are required to produce specific grounds for recall. This is not required in the other 11 states but even here, it's a good idea to have your reasons for recall prepared and be ready to discuss them.

3. Learn the petitioning rules. Gathering signatures is part of any recall but the number of signatures and the time you have to gather them will differ by state.

4. Prepare for debate. During the recall process, the governor will be notified a recall petition has been circulated. At that time, he will have a chance to respond to the charges. Be ready to debate the merit of the recall.

5. Get to the recall election. The final step in the process is the recall election where you'll be asked on the ballot if the governor should be removed from office. Get community members to vote in the election to increase your odds of getting the governor recalled.

Tips & Warnings

• You can recall your governor if you're from one of the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin.

• The number of signatures required to appear on your petition is different for every state. In most cases, it is a percentage of the number of people who voted in the last election.

• Some states will hold a recall election, then another election to decide who will take the office. Other states will hold simultaneous elections while still others will simply appoint someone to fulfill the rest of the term.

• This is a difficult process and has been successful only a few number of times throughout history. If you have significant grounds for recall, be persistent and know you have a tough road ahead.