'Gulf of America,' recall process bills filed
An Arkansas lawmaker has filed a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow voters to remove certain public officials from office.
House Joint Resolution 1007, filed by Rep. Frances Cavenaugh, R-Walnut Ridge, would instate a recall process for several state officeholders, including the governor, attorney general and justices of the Arkansas Supreme Court.
By: Daniel Breen
KUAR
An Arkansas lawmaker has filed a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow voters to remove certain public officials from office.
House Joint Resolution 1007, filed by Rep. Frances Cavenaugh, R-Walnut Ridge, would instate a recall process for several state officeholders, including the governor, attorney general and justices of the Arkansas Supreme Court.
The list also extends to the offices of secretary of state, treasurer, land commissioner, state auditor, as well as judges on circuit, district and appellate courts. Prosecutors, county judges, justices of the peace, sheriffs, county clerks, assessors, coroners, county treasurers, county surveyors, tax collectors and constables also fall under the proposal.
Each legislative session, Arkansas lawmakers are able to refer three proposed amendments to the Arkansas Constitution to voters. If approved by lawmakers, the measure would go before voters in the 2026 election.
Under the proposal, Arkansas voters would be able to initiate a recall through the petition process, with varying numbers of required signatures based on which office is subject to the recall. Previous efforts by Cavenaugh to put a recall amendment before voters failed in past legislative sessions.
Arkansas is one of 39 states which have recall provisions for voters to remove public officials from office, though in Arkansas only mayors, members of city boards and commissioners of suburban improvement districts are subject to recalls. 20 states allow their governors to be recalled.
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