| Issue: Right of Recall |
Summary
Our Constitution contains several provisions to protect our right to a representative government, by and of the people:
- Article V provides a mechanism for amendment;
- The First Amendment states that Congress shall make no law respecting the right of the people to petition the Government for a redress of grievances;
- The 10th Amendment states that powers not delegated to the federal government or prohibited by it to the states are reserved to the states or to the people; and
- The 17th Amendment holds that the electors (voters) in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature.
Eleven states—Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin—have clear constitutional or statutory provisions for recall of all, every, or any elected officials. Together, these states have 14 incumbent U.S. Senators not standing for re-election in 2010, but, in which, successful recall petition drives could put any or all of them either on the November ballot or in a special election.