What is required for a recall election to take place in Missouri?

In Missouri, a recall election is a process that allows voters to remove elected officials from office before the end of their term. For a recall election to occur, a specific number of signatures must be collected from registered voters. The correct number of signatures required is 30,000. This threshold is in place to ensure that there is a sufficient level of public support for the recall effort, reflecting a significant concern from constituents about the performance of their elected official.

In the context of Missouri law, the requirement for 30,000 signatures signifies a substantial effort from the community, ensuring that those seeking a recall have garnered enough backing to warrant the election process. This standard helps maintain the integrity and seriousness of recall efforts, thus preventing frivolous or unsubstantiated challenges to elected officials.

By contrast, lower numbers of signatures, such as 25,000 or 50,000, do not align with the current legal requirements established in the Missouri constitution. Additionally, while a majority vote may be necessary for the recall to be successful once the election occurs, it is not a prerequisite for triggering the recall election itself. The focus is on the number of valid signatures needed to initiate the process, which is why 30,000 is the correct and relevant figure in