A bipartisan group of New York lawmakers, led by Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda (D) Assembly District 87, are pushing for legislation to allow voters to recall elected officials, something nineteen states and the District of Columbia currently do, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
“It’s important that voters have a right to recall elected officials if they’re unhappy with their performance,” said Sepulveda.
His bill AB 8682 is part of a reform effort spurred by recent political corruption scandals in the state.
“In the wake of recent scandals, arrests and convictions, these scandals and convictions have permanently linked the words Albany, corruption and cesspool in people’s minds, especially voters,” Sepulveda said. “So we are taking action.”
The recall bill is likely to face opposition. As Blair Horner, of the New York Public Interest Research Group, put it, “The self interest of lawmakers means they don’t want to change the rules. But he also said “voters are angry and unless they respond to that anger, they’re going to face tough reelection efforts in November.”
CLICK HERE to read the bill.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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