Poli 103A California Politics.ppt

Poli 103A: California Politics Recalls The Progressive Legacy I: Recall The Purpose Behind the Process All About Arnold Getting on the Ballot Campaign Finance Analyzing the Results Popular Feedback on Populism The Purpose Behind the Process A 1911 constitutional amendment pushed (along with initiative and referendum) by Gov. Hiram Johnson, the recall: Was justified as a way to attack the graft and corruption of the time. Does not specify the type of misdeed that it punishes; a “recallable offense” is whatever a majority says it is. The Purpose Behind the Process:Wall of Shame Targets of Progressive reformers: Sen. Marshall Black (R-Santa Clara,1913) Sen. Edwin Grant (D-San Franciso, 1914) Casualties of the Speakership fight: Assm. Paul Horcher (R-Los Angeles, 1995) Assm. Doris Allen (R-Orange, 1995) The Purpose Behind the Process To recall a statewide officer: Gather signatures of registered voters equal in number to 12% of the last vote for that office. In five counties, gather signatures equal in number to 1% of that county’s vote. To recall a legislator: Equal in number to 20% of district vote. The Purpose Behind the Process:The Dual Ballot Yes or no vote on whether to recall the official in question. Takes a majority (50% + 1 vote) to win. All qualified replacement candidates appear on the same ballot. Only takes a plurality (most votes) to win. The Purpose Behind the Process The 135 replacement candidates got on the ballot with 65 signatures and $3500. All About ArnoldGetting on the Ballot Recall petitions have been circulated for every governor, but none had qualified till Davis. From Feb. 5th to April 24th, 2003, recall proponents collected about 100,000 signatures. They needed to collect 897,156 valid signatures within 160 days. All About ArnoldGetting on the Ballot Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Vista) decided to lend his considerable financial resources to the race on April 24th, and eventually gave $3 million. “I don’t think we took it at all seri