FL H0007

Proposes a new Section 8 of Article VI of the Florida Constitution to establish a recall mechanism for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Cabinet members, and legislators before their terms expire.

Recall elections are initiated by submitting a petition to the chief election officer containing the official's name and alleged reason for recall; supporters have 120 days to collect signatures and the sufficiency of the reason is not subject to judicial review.

For non-legislative officials, petitions must contain signatures from all 67 counties equaling 15 percent of votes cast in the last election for that office; for legislators, petitions require 20 percent of votes cast in their last election and signatures only from their district.

If a recall petition succeeds, the recall election and election for a successor must be held simultaneously between 60-80 days after signature certification (or on the same date as a regularly scheduled election if one occurs within 100 days); the recalled official cannot be a candidate for the office.

If a majority votes to recall, the official is removed and the successor receiving the most votes serves the remainder of the term; if recall fails, the official is reimbursed for personal recall expenses and cannot be subject to another recall petition during their remaining term.