Responsible Voters Start With Defaults: No On Propositions, Yes On Recalls
A recall can be a greater exercise in democracy than a general election
Democracy is like a leaky roof: if you want to reduce damage and costs, you fix it before the downpour of election noise.
In contemporary America especially, primary and general elections have a long leadup, and unless one feels especially driven to promote an issue or candidate, it’s reasonable to expect that, by election day people will be ready to vote (or not) according to their guidelines — and that regardless of their views (or lack thereof), few would blame them for exasperation with the extensiveness or media of the process.
But special elections are a different matter; their timing, or even existence, depends on the voice of citizens. And regardless of your position on the vote in the works, you might well see value in shaping the process early, such as:
Keeping vital civic options open: Signing a recall petition doesn’t obligate you to vote in favor of the recall should the petition qualify…but as long as others are going to the trouble, why not help keep choices open during changing times?
Overcoming sloppiness or deceit: With all the unreliable political predictions and black swan events…
