Recall process proposed for New Bedford elected officers

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — New Bedford Mayor John Mitchell will submit a proposal to the city council that would allow for city elected officers to be recalled.

The process to recall a ward officer would entail 100 voters of the ward filing an affidavit with the Board of Election Commissioners.

The board would then issue recall petition blanks.

These blanks would then need to be returned within 45 days and must contain signatures from at least 15% of the ward’s registered voters.

In addition, 15% of the ward’s registered voters must vote in the recall election.

The process to recall an at-large officer would entail 600 voters filing an affidavit with the Board of Election Commissioners that includes 100 signatures from each ward.

The board would issue petition blanks, which must be returned within 45 days and contain signatures from at least 15% of registered New Bedford voters with 10% of such signatures coming from each ward.

At least 15% of registered voters must vote in the recall election.

The proposal also says that if an officer is recalled, they will be ineligible to fill the vacancy caused by their recall in a future election or appointment.