Campaign Car Political Sign

A recall election can be called when a significant number of people in a community sign a petition to recall an elected official. It is very common for a politician to anger their community enough for people to start working on a recall, but it is very unusual for a recall campaign to succeed in removing the official from office.

Salmon Idaho Had a Problem

Salmon, Idaho is a small town in mountainous central Idaho. With a population of only 3000, the town is surrounded by county land holding another 7000 people. As with many towns in recreational areas, the wealthier and more educated people tend to live outside of the city limits. For years this has created a certain tension in the community because although the county people relied on the town for goods, schools and services, they had no say in town politics.

In the 2008 election, following the country’s wave of change, the current administration was overturned by election of a new mayor. The new mayor immediately started creating problems with his belligerent attitude and lack of professionalism in running his office. Fits of rage became the norm in City Hall. He fired numerous people from city positions, and caused several others to quit in frustration.