Recall, Appoint and Impeach How can public officials acquire and lose their offices?

Recall Definition- The process of removing a public official from office by voting Recalls and recall elections are very rare Sometimes people want to remove and elected official before his or her term end Why would someone want a public official out of office?

How does the recall process occur? Citizens use the recall process 1. They draw up a petition 2. They get a large number of signatures 3. The petition must be certain legal requirements 4. The recall issue is placed on the ballot 5. If a majority of voters approve, the person must leave office Has this happened recently?

Impeachments Definition- A charge of wrongful conduct of a public official The Legislative Branch/Congress deals with impeachments 1973: Nixon/Watergate Scandal, because of this a committee was formed to investigate activities of the executive branch

Nixon/Watergate Scandal The White House staff investigated because of a break-in at the Watergate Hotel They tried to get the tape recording of Nixon’s talks with staff members regarding the break in Nixon refused It went to the Supreme Court They ordered the tapes to be released; the House of Representatives was set to debate the Nixon resigned in 1974, the charges were later dropped

Appointments Definition- To name or choose a person for an office, but not by an election A president can appoint officials: Ambassadors, Judges, Supreme Court Judges Only key officials can appoint Congress must confirm the president’s appointments Appointments require a majority vote for approval