Understanding Oregon's Constitution: The Power To Recall

The Oregon Constitution grants its citizens the authority to perform a recall election, as outlined in Article 2, Section 18. This right, established in 1908, empowers Oregonians to initiate a recall process for elected officials, including members of the federal congressional delegation. The recall procedure is detailed in the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS), specifically sections ORS 248.029 and ORS 249, which cover definitions, powers of political parties, nomination processes, and enforcement. The Oregon Secretary of State plays a crucial role in maximizing voter participation, overseeing public spending, and facilitating the recall process. The state provides official templates and guidelines for chief petitioners to initiate a recall, and the Elections Division verifies signatures to qualify for an election. These regulations ensure a structured and democratic process for recalling public officers in Oregon.

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Oregon citizens' authority to recall election

The citizens of Oregon have been granted the authority to perform a recall election by Article 2, Section 18 of the Oregon Constitution. This right was created in 1908, and Oregon was one of the first two states to adopt statewide recall procedures. The recall process in Oregon is overseen by the Oregon Secretary of State, who works to maximise voter participation and preserve Oregon's history, among other duties.

To initiate a recall election in Oregon, a petition must be circulated and signed by a sufficient number of valid signatures. The number of valid signatures required is 15% of the total votes cast in the public officer's electoral district for all candidates for Governor in the last election where a candidate for Governor was elected to a full term. The chief petitioner is responsible for submitting the required number of signatures within 90 days of filing the prospective petition. The signature sheets must be approved in writing by the Elections Division, and they verify if the recall petition contains enough valid signatures to qualify for an election.

There are specific rules and regulations outlined in the Oregon State Recall Manual that must be followed during the recall process. These include requirements for the weight, style, and colour of paper used for the cover and signature sheets. Campaign finance regulations must also be filed for recall elections.

In the case of recalling a precinct committeeperson, the petition must be signed by no less than 25% of the party members who voted in the preceding primary election. The petitioners must also state their reasons for the recall in 200 words or less. If the precinct committeeperson does not resign within five days of the petition being filed, a special election will be ordered by the county elections official.

Signature requirements for a recall petition

Article 2, Section 18 of the Oregon Constitution grants citizens the authority to perform a recall election. The number of valid signatures required to force a recall election is 15% of the total votes cast in the public officer's electoral district for all candidates for Governor in the last election where a candidate for Governor was elected for a full term.

The chief petitioner must receive official templates and have their cover and signature sheets approved in writing by the Elections Division before circulating the recall petition. The chief petitioner or authorised agents are the only ones permitted to submit cover and signature sheets for approval.

The recall petition must be circulated using the official templates provided by the Elections Division, including weight, style, and colour of paper. The cover sheet (SEL 350) must be copied on the reverse side of the signature sheet (SEL 351).

The chief petitioner must turn in the required number of signatures no later than 90 days after the prospective petition has been filed. Once the Elections Division receives the signature sheets, they verify the signatures to determine if the recall petition contains enough valid signatures to qualify for an election.

Verification of signatures

Article 2, Section 18 of the Oregon Constitution grants citizens the authority to perform a recall election. The number of valid signatures required to trigger a recall election is 15% of the total votes cast in the public officer's electoral district for all candidates for Governor in the previous election where a candidate for Governor was elected to a full term.

Once the chief petitioner has received the official templates, they may begin the approval for circulation process. The cover and signature sheets must be approved in writing by the Elections Division before circulation can begin. Only the chief petitioner or authorised agents may submit cover and signature sheets for approval.

The chief petitioner must use the official templates provided by the Elections Division, including weight, style, and colour of paper, with the cover sheet (SEL 350) copied on the reverse side of the signature sheet (SEL 351). They must then submit the required number of signatures within 90 days of the prospective petition being filed.

After receiving the signature sheets, the Elections Division verifies the signatures to determine if the recall petition contains enough valid signatures to qualify for an election. For example, in the case of recalling a precinct committeeperson, the petition must be signed by no less than 25% of the party members who voted in the preceding primary election in that precinct.

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Campaign finance regulations

In Oregon, a recall election enables voters to remove an elected official from office before the official's term has ended. This right of recall was created in 1908, and Oregon was one of the first two states to adopt statewide recall procedures. There are many campaign finance regulations that must be filed for recall elections in Oregon, and these can be found in the Oregon State Recall Manual.

The Multnomah County Circuit Court has also played a role in validating campaign contribution limits for Multnomah County and the City of Portland. On August 23, 2021, the court issued a final validation order, confirming the validity of contribution limits under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The City of Portland's campaign finance regulations include provisions such as expenditure limits and self-funding limits, some of which have been found to be unconstitutional by the courts.

It is important to note that campaign finance regulations can vary at the city and county levels within Oregon, and these regulations are subject to change over time as a result of voter initiatives and court rulings.

Recall of a precinct committeeperson

Under Article 2, Section 18 of the Oregon Constitution, citizens of Oregon have the authority to perform a recall election. This right was established in 1908, and Oregon was one of the first two states to implement statewide recall procedures. A recall election, also known as a recall referendum, is a mechanism that allows voters to remove an elected official from office through a referendum before their term ends. This form of direct democracy is considered rare and is currently only practised in a handful of countries, including Peru, Ecuador, and Japan.

In Oregon, the process of recalling a precinct committeeperson would follow similar procedures as outlined in the state's recall laws. To initiate a recall, a chief petitioner would need to obtain and submit official templates, including cover and signature sheets, to the Elections Division for approval. These sheets must adhere to specific requirements regarding weight, style, and colour of paper. Only the chief petitioner or authorised agents are permitted to submit these sheets.

Once approved, the chief petitioner can begin circulating the recall petition to collect signatures. The number of valid signatures required for a recall election in Oregon is 15% of the total votes cast in the public officer's electoral district for all candidates for Governor in the last election where a Governor was elected to a full term. It is important to note that there are strict rules and regulations governing the recall process, which are outlined in the Oregon State Recall Manual.

After the chief petitioner collects the required number of signatures, they must submit them to the Elections Division within 90 days of filing the prospective petition. The Elections Division will then verify the signatures to determine if the recall petition has enough valid signatures to qualify for an election. If the petition meets the requirements, a recall election for the precinct committeeperson will be scheduled.

It is worth noting that recall elections can incur additional expenses, as they are often held outside of normal election schedules. Additionally, they may have different rules compared to regular elections, requiring additional voter education and outreach. Overall, the recall process in Oregon provides citizens with a mechanism to hold their elected officials, including precinct committeepersons, accountable and ensure they represent the interests of their constituents.

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