OH HB203

Establishes a recall process for holders of statewide offices (governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor of state, treasurer of state, attorney general) and members of the General Assembly.

Requires a petition signed by qualified electors equal to at least 15% of votes cast for governor in the most recent election (statewide officials) or in the respective district (General Assembly members) to initiate recall.

Petition must contain a general statement of grounds for removal in no more than 200 words and be filed with the secretary of state (or governor if recalling the secretary of state) for statewide officials, or with the board of elections of the most populous county in the district for General Assembly members.

Recall election shall be held at the next general election, next primary election if within 150 days of petition filing, or at a specially scheduled election 30-40 days after petition sufficiency is determined; candidates nominated by filing nominating petitions at least 20 days before election without primary intervention.

If majority votes affirmatively on recall question, the official is removed upon election canvass and the candidate receiving the most votes for the office is elected; recall petitions cannot be filed until an official has served at least 90 days of their term, and unsuccessful recall candidates' legitimate election expenses are reimbursed from state treasury.