Politics with Paul

Approachable, nonpartisan, and nonideological analysis of various political topics by nonpartisan political analyst, writer, researcher, and speaker Paul Rader.

Politics with Paul #43: Recall Elections - When Voters Kick Elected Officials Out Early

E44 • Jun 3, 2025 • 48 mins

Recall elections are a unique democratic process allowing citizens to remove elected officials before the end of their term. The mechanism has existed since before the independence of the US, but didn't become popularized until the beginning of the 20th century. Many state and local-level officials have been subjected to recall campaigns, but some political observers have increasingly called into question the reasoning behind such efforts. Today's episode explores the history of the recall in America, how recall elections work, how recalls even get on the ballot, and the normative and philosophical questions behind their use. Are political recalls being overused as partisan or ideological tools? If they are, does that mean they shouldn't be used?

Key Points

Recall elections allow voters to remove elected officials before their terms end, functioning as a type of special election.
The process and eligibility for recall elections vary significantly across states, with some requiring specific grounds for initiating a recall.
Recent recall efforts are often criticized for being driven by partisan or ideological motives rather than actual misconduct.

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Speakers

Paul Rader

Host • 100%

Chapters

0:00	Introduction to Recall Elections
2:03	What is a Recall Election?
4:13	Historical Origins of Recall Elections
8:36	Which Elected Officials Can Be Recalled?
14:50	The Process of Recall Elections
24:09	Prominent Past and Present Recall Efforts
29:50	Consideration: Normative Implications of Recall Elections
35:03	Consideration: When Should We Be Able to Have Recalls?
36:37	Consideration: Where and Which Officials Should Be Able to Be Recalled?
38:51	Consideration: Why (What Reasons) Should We Be Able to Have Recalls?
42:14	Consideration: How Should We Have Recall Elections?
45:06	Final Thoughts and Media

Transcript

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