Elections matter. Recalling an elected official is an extraordinary step and should only be taken under the most serious circumstances — not because a few extremists disagree with the votes of fairly elected representatives.
Unfortunately, in Oregon, extremists are abusing the recall process for just that reason.
These recall efforts are an abuse of the democratic system and a waste of taxpayer money and voters' time. Stand up for the democratic process. Say no to reckless recalls.
Floyd Prozanski is the Oregon State Senator for Southern and Eastern Lane County and Northern and Eastern Douglas County. He took office in a fair election and has since fought for Oregon’s schools, jobs, and public safety — but now a few political extremists want him out for voting to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.
These extremists have already tried and failed to launch recall measures against three legislators. They couldn’t even gather enough signatures to pass the initial hurdle. Yet they’re still trying — targeting Sen. Prozanski for his votes on widely supported legislation including a life-saving law to require background checks for all gun sales, a policy that 81 percent of Oregonians support.
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For a long time now, Oregon has required anyone buying a gun at a store or a gun show to pass a criminal background check. But there was a deadly loophole in the system that made it easy for criminals to buy guns from strangers they meet online — without a background check, no questions asked.
So this year, the Oregon legislature – including the lawmaker targeted by this recall effort — took action to close this loophole and voted to help law enforcement keep guns out of the hands of felons, domestic abusers, and other dangerous criminals.
Education is a priority for this common-sense legislator.
He’s fighting for Oregon’s students by reducing class sizes, expanding career and technical training, and working to increase funding for schools across the state.
Sen. Floyd Prozanski wants to hire more teachers and restore funding for art, music and physical education programs.
Sen. Floyd Prozanski knows that supporting small business is the key to growing local jobs.
When small businesses succeed, so does their community — and he has been a champion for small business since he took office.
The Oregon Constitution and state statute allow voters to remove any non-federal public officer from office before his or her term has expired. The process starts with a petition that must be initiated by a registered voter from the same district as the elected official.
If the chief petitioner submits enough valid signatures, the targeted legislator has five days after the signatures are verified to either resign or formally contest the recall. If the legislator contests the recall, a special election is scheduled not more than 40 days after the petition qualifies.
Recalls are exceedingly rare in Oregon. Only three state legislators have been recalled since the process was established in 1908. The most recent lawmaker to be recalled was Sen. Bill Olson in 1988, after he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of sexual abuse.
If the recall against Sen. Floyd Prozanski qualifies, each ballot will include two statements — one detailing the chief petitioner’s reasons for demanding a recall and one from Sen. Prozanski making his case to continue serving.
Below the two statements is the question: “Do you vote to recall [ OFFICIAL’S NAME ]?” Voting NO is how you vote to keep the elected official in office.
Registered voters in Sen. Floyd Prozanski’s district will receive a ballot in the mail. If you’re not yet registered, visit the Oregon Secretary of State website to register online. The election dates will be set by the Secretary of State, and this website will be updated with that date when it is available.
If the recall election is successful, the position becomes a vacancy that is filled by appointment. The recalled legislator’s local party would select three to five possible replacement candidates, and the county board of commissioners votes to appoint one of them to fill the vacancy.
An appointed state representative would fill out the remainder of the term to which he or she was appointed and then may run for reelection to that position.
A state senator who is appointed during the first two years of the recalled senator’s four-year term must run for re-election in the next general election to fill out the remainder of the term.
If the recall election is unsuccessful, the public official retains their office. Any additional recall petitions that are filed against the person must be accompanied by a deposit that is equal to the cost to conduct the first recall election.
Oregon State Fire Fighters Council
Oregon School Employees Association
Oregon Construction & Building Trades Council
United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 555
NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon
Bill Bradbury, Former Oregon Secretary of State
Kitty Piercy, Eugene Mayor
George Brown, Eugene City Councilor
Sharon Stiles, Lane Community College School Board Member
Anne Marie Levis, Eugene School Board Member (4J)
Eileen Nittler, Eugene School Board Member (4J)
Jennifer Geller, Eugene School Board Member (4J)
Mary Walston, Eugene School Board Member (4J)
Oregon League of Conservation Voters
SEIU Local 503
University of Oregon College Democrats
Lane County Young Democrats
Eugene Votes Coalition
Democratic Party of Lane County
Tony McCown, Lane Community College School Board Member
Phil Carrasco, Lane Community College School Board Member
Ginger Poage, Bethel School Board Member
Rose Wilde, Lane Education Service District Board Member
Matt Keating, Lane Community College School Board Member Everytown for Gun Safety
Moms Demand Action, Oregon Chapter
Americans for Responsible Solutions
Eugene Springfield Solidarity Network