The power of recall

Published 1:00 am Saturday, March 12, 2011

By WDN Editorial Board

As noted on Friday’s front page, the Belhaven mayor and Town Council have convinced state Rep. Bill Cook, R-Beaufort, to introduce a local bill in the state Legislature that would allow Belhaven residents to recall their elected officials.
Mayor Adam O’Neal confirmed this bill represents the fulfillment of an old campaign pledge.
“Now the people have recourse,” O’Neal said.
If the bill succeeds, 20 percent of the town’s 1,203 registered voters would have to sign a petition to trigger a recall election.
As we understand it, the recall-election participants would be able to vote on whether to remove or retain a mayor or council member, but the council would appoint someone to serve out the unexpired term of the recalled official.
You might be wondering whether recall elections can be held for offices like state representative or county commissioner in North Carolina. We wondered that as well. It turns out the short answer is no.
The bill relative to Belhaven applies to that town only, and it’s a measure intended to alter the town charter to permit recall elections.
According to Kellie Harris Hopkins, Beaufort County’s elections director, the state constitution doesn’t allow for recall elections at the state or county levels.
That’s probably a good thing.
Recall elections can be messy and expensive. Just ask a Californian.
And recalling, say, a state senator could cost untold thousands of dollars. Besides, it would take a state constitutional amendment to get to that point.
Still, if a majority of Belhaven residents want the power to recall their elected officials, that’s their right. Above all, town matters are local matters, and the mayor and council clearly believe they have a mandate to pursue recall powers for their bosses, the voters.
Our hope is this recall power, if granted by the Legislature, won’t be abused by anyone. Multiple attempts to strip elected officials of their offices could quickly drain town coffers and spawn more ill will in a community already torn by political conflicts.
As Hopkins pointed out, the town will have to pay for each of these recall elections.
“It could be a considerable expense to the taxpayers,” she said.
We have to admit we wonder whether most Beaufort County residents would recall county commissioners, if they could. Anyway, that point is moot.
On this issue, Belhaven is leading the way. Will people in Washington or other towns in our county follow Belhaven’s lead? Perhaps, perhaps not.
One thing you bank on: If this recall bill makes the grade in Raleigh, Belhaven’s elections will get a lot more interesting.

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