Nevada governor faces recall movement

Republicans in Nevada have launched a petition drive to recall their governor.

A statewide group of activists and conservatives angered by Nevada's record tax increases will notify the Secretary of State's office Wednesday of their intent to recall Gov. Kenny Guinn.

Members of the Committee to Recall Governor Guinn said Monday they have more than 600 volunteers ready to circulate petitions and collect the more than 128,000 signatures.

Oh, did I mention that Nevada's governor is a Republican?

To succeed, the committee will have to obtain signatures from 128,109 voters, or 25 percent of those who cast ballots in the 2002 general election. The state constitution grants 90 days to gather the signatures, with the clock starting the day after the Secretary of State's office is notified.

If the signatures on recall petitions are verified, the Secretary of State has between 10 and 20 days to call for the election, which must be held within 30 days.

Candidates wishing to place their names on the special election ballot must obtain the same number of signatures required for a recall. Otherwise any vacancy in the governor's office would be filled by the lieutenant governor.

If a state constitution must have a recall (which I think is dubious), then this is the way to go. It is harder to collect the signatures (25 percent, rather than the 12 percent or so in CA). There is a time limit to collect the signatures, and successor candidates must also collect 128,000 signatures (which no one will be able to do).

In other words, Guinn should be safe. But it's still fun seeing Republicans eat their own. It's a welcome distraction from seeing Democrats eat our own.

www.recallguinn.com

Posted August 30, 2003 08:06 AM | Comments (25)