U.S. mayoral recall efforts on uptick

WASHINGTON, April 12 (UPI) -- Mayors in cities across the United States are feeling the heat of recall petitions fueled by disgruntled voters and powered by the Internet, observers said.

The non-profit Ballotpedia indicated 75 mayors faced recall attempts in 2010, up from 23 in 2009, USA Today reported Tuesday. So far this year, 15 mayors have faced citizens' efforts to remove them from office.

Recalls have become so frequent that the U.S. Conference of Mayors, based in Washington, initiated a campaign to warn mayors to be prepared. The effort includes a documentary-style film, "Recall Fever: Stop the Madness," which recounts recall efforts in Omaha, Miami, Akron, Ohio, and Chattanooga, Tenn.

"Any person who's coming in to serve needs to understand this is happening," said Tom Cochran, chief executive officer and executive director of the mayors' group.

Cochran said budgetary decisions made in today's trying economic climate likely spark more voter angst and the Internet provides an immediate, easy vehicle by which recall petitions can be circulated.

"If they [mayors] don't have a Web site, if they don't have a blogger, they better, by God, get one," Cochran said. "There is inside this country right now an anti-tax, anti-spending mood. It's a new thing in America: We're going to kick you out of office. They don't have to wait [for another election] anymore."

Most recall efforts fail, but Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez was ousted by 88 percent of voters in a special election after drawing ire for handing out pay raises and hiking property taxes during a housing bust.

Cochran suggested cities toughen recall requirements and tell voters that recall elections cost money, USA Today said.

Recalling a city official for corruption is proper, but Cochran said many "are not about corruption or malfeasance. We can't afford to have an election every other year because somebody is ticked off."