By Doug Goodman

The Nevada Constitution allows for “no-fault” recalls of any elected official after they have been in office at least six months. Respect for the voters and our electoral process, along with values of ethical behavior, call for the process to be used only when the official violates the public trust; illegal behavior, actions contrary to their oath of office, undisclosed or failure to resolve a conflict of interest, as examples. A recall based solely on the fact the proponents did not like the election results does not pass this test.

Destructive partisanship is alive and well in Nevada. The recalls initiated against three sitting state senators, two Democratic and one nonpartisan who caucuses with the Democrats, by a group that includes a former Republican assemblyman defeated in the last election and represented by an attorney who works at the law office of the Republican lieutenant governor more than buttresses this view. The Republican state Senate minority leader also is openly supportive of the recalls.

The stated reasons for the individual recalls have nothing to do with violating the public trust. They have everything to do with partisan politics. The proponents of the recalls cannot point to one violation of the public trust, only that they do not agree with the election results and particular issues supported and votes cast by the targeted senators. That said, does the lieutenant governor have a conflict of interest in that the law firm of which he is a partner is the firm representing the proponents? Does it really matter that the lieutenant governor has stated he is not taking a position?

Those we chose to represent us in the Legislature are elected to resolve issues facing all Nevadans. We expect them to work together to the benefit of all. These recall efforts are a direct attack against this notion. They state, very clearly, that the only thing that matters is the political party. The voters and the election process mean nothing.

The only answer to these recall efforts is for the voters not to sign the petitions. Deny the proponents the 25 percent needed.

The only answer to the proponents is to clearly answer their contempt for the voters and the process through the very process they insult by denying them votes at the polls.

We must return collaboration, cooperation, and civility to our political process. Perhaps the process itself needs to change. A process that encourages and rewards hyper-partisan rhetoric cannot and should not be sustained. Perhaps we need a system that rewards dialogue and respect.

The recall efforts being started must be called out for what they are, an affront to our political process and an insult to all voters, Republican, Democratic, nonpartisan, Independent American, Libertarian, Green, and any other persuasion.   

Doug Goodman is the blogger at Nevada for Elections Reform.