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Recall Effort

If citizens feel that their elected official has failed to adequately perform his/her duties, the citizen can file a recall petition.  The citizen will need to meet several criteria as summarized below.  The relevant portion of the Virginia Code appears to begin here:  https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title24.2/chapter2/section24.2-233/
 

The citizen must file a petition with the circuit court. 

 

The petition for the removal of an officer shall state with reasonable accuracy and detail the grounds or reasons for removal and shall be signed by the person or persons making it.

Upon petition, a circuit court may remove from office any elected officer or officer who has been appointed to fill an elective office, residing within the jurisdiction of the court for neglect of duty, misuse of office, or incompetence in the performance of duties when that neglect of duty, misuse of office, or incompetence in the performance of duties has a material adverse effect upon the conduct of the office;

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The petition must be signed by a number of registered voters who reside within the jurisdiction of the officer equal to ten percent of the total number of votes cast at the last election for the office that the officer holds.  (see table below)

No person who signs a petition for the removal of an official pursuant to § 24.2-233 or who circulates such a petition (i) shall be liable for any costs associated with removal proceedings conducted pursuant to the petition, including attorney fees incurred by any other party or court costs, or (ii) shall have sanctions imposed against him pursuant to § 8.01-271.1.

 

After the petition is filed, the clerk shall certify, within 10 days of such filing, that he has received and accepted the petition copy and statement.

 

  • Qualified voters must sign and date the petition.

  • Each signature on the petition shall be witnessed by a person who is qualified to vote.

  • Each qualified voter signing the petition shall have been validly registered in the jurisdiction for which the petition is circulated at the time of signing the petition and at the time of validating the petition signatures.

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If you are interested in staying up to date on any recall information, join our Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/HanoverRecall/

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You can also complete the online form created by the Facebook Recall Team located here: 

Recall Contact Form

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