There is a grassroots movement forming to recall St. Paul (MN) Mayor Randy Kelly after he chose to endorse George W. Bush in the 2004 election.
With just one of St. Paul's 119 precincts voting for Bush in 2000, the mayor is out of step with the people who elected him and therefore is not acting in the city's best interests.
A successful recall would indeed take a serious effort. Here's what it would take, according to city charter:
- A recall petition would need signatures from about 12,700 registered voters (20 percent of the number who voted in the 2001 mayoral election).
- The city clerk would check that the names on the petition are valid and that the petition meets the 20 percent requirement. The city clerk would have 30 calendar days to report the filing to the City Council.
- If the council determines that the petition is sufficient, it would immediately notify Kelly, who would have five days to resign or face a recall election.
- The council would have 10 days to order a special election. Because of the timing, a successful petition drive could place the issue on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.