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Ferguson Down the Road - The MO Recall Process
Laws governing recall in Missouri
Missourians do not have the right of statewide recall. However, the right of local recall is available in:
Cities defined as Class 3 cities. A Class 3 City is defined as a city with a population between 3,000 and 29,999.
Cities that operate under their own city charter, if the specific city charter allows for recall.
The recall process that applies to Class 3 cities in Missouri is governed by MRS §77.650 and 78.260.
Generally:
Recall may not commence during first 6 months in office
Grounds for recall must be stated, and must include misconduct in office, incompetence, and failure to perform duties prescribed by law.
60 days is allowed for collecting signatures.
Signatures equal to 25% of the registered voters in the city must be collected.
Missourians do not have the right of statewide recall. However, the right of local recall is available in:
Cities defined as Class 3 cities. A Class 3 City is defined as a city with a population between 3,000 and 29,999.
Cities that operate under their own city charter, if the specific city charter allows for recall.
The recall process that applies to Class 3 cities in Missouri is governed by MRS §77.650 and 78.260.
Generally:
Recall may not commence during first 6 months in office
Grounds for recall must be stated, and must include misconduct in office, incompetence, and failure to perform duties prescribed by law.
60 days is allowed for collecting signatures.
Signatures equal to 25% of the registered voters in the city must be collected.
By population, Ferguson is a Class 3 City. Here are the steps the people of Ferguson can take:
1. Through a voter registration drive, register a majority of black residents. Enlist the aid of voter registration specialists.
2. Follow the Recall process to recall every elected city official, including the City Council and Mayor, if the Mayor is elected.
3. As part of the Recall, elect a completely new slate of city officials, chosen by the majority of voters.
4. Once the new City Council is in place, it can fire the current police chief and choose a new one.
5. Restructure the Police Department and replace as many officers as possible with officers who reflect the demographics of the city.
6. Create a citizens review board for the Police department with the power to remove officers and leadership for cause.
All of this could be completed within 6 months and Ferguson would then become a city governed by a representative government that reflected the wishes of its actual population. In my opinion, this is what Ferguson residents should be planning right now, followed by an aggressive program to make it happen.
Use the system! Take over control of your own city!
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K&R
