Campbell safe in B.C., but Davis might still be ousted in California.

Mario Canseco

Recalls have become fashionable in the West Coast of North America. In British Columbia, seven attempts to force elected politicians out of office have failed. In California, the governor may still be withdrawn.

Gordon Campbell became premier of B.C. after a May 2001 election, where his BC Liberal Party won 77 of the 79 Legislative Assembly seats. Disenchantment with the New Democratic Party (NDP)—which had ruled the province since 1991—gave way to a massive Liberal victory.

Some B.C. residents have grown weary of the Liberals, criticized for their service cuts, education and health care policies. Campbell's DUI arrest in Hawaii last January did not help his numbers, currently at 38 per cent. The effort to recall Campbell failed a few days ago. Proponents could not gather 14,623 signatures, or 40 per cent of voters in the premier's Vancouver-Point Grey riding, to force a new election.

Campbell is safe, but California governor Gray Davis might still be driven out. Re-elected just last November, Davis has endured an energy crisis, budget problems, high unemployment rates and a weak economy. A poll by Field puts the Democrat's approval rating at 24 per cent, the lowest since the research institution began gauging public opinion in the state 55 years ago.

In order to recall the governor, Californians must gather 897,158 signatures, or 12 per cent of the total state voters from the last election. Proponents want the signatures to be collected by early July, to hold the election in September. Californians have tried to recall a governor 32 previous times, but modern technology might help the effort this time. Downloadable forms are available on a website.

If all the signatures are collected, the ballot would contain two questions. The first queries whether the governor should be recalled, and the second asks for the voter's choice for next governor. By recalling Davis, voters would effectively elect his successor. California laws allow any member of a recognized political party to be on the ballot. All prospective candidates have to do is collect 65 signatures and pay a fee.

Local politicians who were getting ready for an open contest in 2006 may have to re-think their plans. The Republican Party may rely on actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose campaign for after-school programs in the state got 3.5 million votes in 2002. The Democrats may counter with state attorney general Bill Lockyer or treasurer Phil Angelides, although it is difficult to know if either man would place their name on a ballot that would fire their current boss.

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