What is the process of recall in elections?

The process of recall in elections is primarily an effort by voters to remove an incumbent politician from office before the end of their term. This citizen-driven procedure allows voters to hold elected officials accountable and can occur when constituents feel that the incumbent is not fulfilling their duties or has acted against the interests of the public.

Recall mechanisms vary by jurisdiction but generally involve gathering a certain number of signatures from registered voters on a petition to trigger a special election. If enough valid signatures are collected, a recall election is held, allowing voters to decide whether to remove the official from office. This process enables direct voter engagement in the political system and reflects the principle of voter sovereignty—a fundamental aspect of democratic governance.

In this context, the other options do not align with the definition of recall. Notifying the public of election dates pertains to information dissemination rather than the removal process. A method to select new candidates doesn't capture the essence of recall, which specifically targets current officeholders. Finally, extending the term of office contradicts the concept of recall, which seeks to terminate, rather than prolong, a politician's tenure.