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Re: Remembering democracy
The recall statute was enacted as a constitutional amendment by the voters in 1911, and it can be amended again by the same means; this is similar to a ballot initiative in that it has to be approved by the voters, but it's different in terms of qualifying. I don't personally think the voters will be inclined to adopt the amendment suggested by Mr. Searls, as the recall question needs to be separate from the replacement question. A run-off system would drag out the time the incumbent would be allowed to remain in office, so overall it would not be a good thing. The most intelligent way to understand the recall is to look at the whole picture: Davis was elected by a plurality (47.3%), he can only be removed by a majority, and his replacement will also be elected by a plurality. To claim this process is "un-democratic" is to define the term in a very interesting manner indeed.
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