The formal process to recall Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Mayor Sandi Bloem, Council President Mike Kennedy, Councilman Deanna Goodlander, and Councilman Woody McEvers has begun.

Recall CdA, Inc., a local community action organization, announced in a news release that on Wednesday, April 4, it will file prospective petitions to recall the four City officials.  The reason given for recalling each official is, “By the power granted to the people in Article I, Section 2 of the Idaho Constitution, we the voters of Coeur d’Alene deem it necessary to recall [Mayor Sandi Bloem][Councilman Mike Kennedy][Councilman Deanna Goodlander][Councilman Woody McEvers].”

The prospective petitions will be filed with the Coeur d’Alene City Clerk whose only authority and duty is to “immediately” determine if the petitions meet the form prescribed by Idaho statutes.   Once the prospective petitions have been approved for form, the organization can begin collecting signatures from registered Idaho voters who are legally authorized to vote in Coeur d’Alene City elections.

Recall CdA has 75 days after approval of the petition form to gather sufficient valid signatures on the approved forms.  Once the Kootenai County Clerk has determined which of the petitions have sufficient valid signatures, the County Clerk will place the approved names on the November 2012 general election ballot for recall.

To recall any city official, a majority of the votes cast at the special recall election must be in favor of such recall, and additionally, the number of votes cast in favor of the recall must equal or exceed the votes cast at the last general election for that official.

Recall of all elected officials except judicial officers is authorized by the Idaho Constitution, Article VI, Section 6.  Idaho’s recall election requirements are prescribed in Idaho Code, Title 34, Chapter 17.

Additionally, during its recently-concluded session, the Idaho Legislature amended Idaho’s campaign finance laws.  House Bill 490 was signed by the Governor on March 27, 2012, and becomes effective July 1, 2012.  It amends Idaho Code § 50-420 by applying Idaho Code §§ 67-6601 through 67-6616 and 67-6623 through 67-6630 to all city recall-related donations and expenditures on and after July 1, 2012.