Recall Chaos

Everything about the effort to recall two Democratic State Senators has been chaotic. Because it’s never been done before, all the rules governing it are being contested and many legal questions are of first impressions.

“There is nothing in this election going correctly.” (Floyd Ciruli, 9News, Brandon Rittiman)

The only fact we are certain of is that two Democratic incumbent senators will stand for a recall election on Tuesday, September 10. Beyond that, the facts are evolving:

• Will it be a mail-back or in-person election? The court ruling giving additional interested voters up to August 26 to turn in 1,000 valid signatures seems to require in-person voting.
• Who will be on the replacement candidate list? Republicans have one candidate on each list, but the extra time for signature collection may produce additional candidates.

The court decision was probably a Republican win. Turnout is the key to the election. Democrats want a convenient election procedure, namely mail-back ballots, to help target and motivate their less-engaged voters. Republicans want a lower turnout and less convenient process, which should allow their more motivated voters – a large portion of the people who signed the petition – to dominate. Clerks want the election to be simple and as cheap as possible. Mail-back ballots would have done that.

With in-person vote costs, estimated at about $150,000 per election, are likely to double.  The candidates, especially the incumbents, will raise at least $300,000 and possibly much more for advertising. They have already started tv ads. We are headed toward a million dollar election.

See:
9News: Court appeal promises more legal wrangling over recall elections
KOA morning show