Danvers voters could seek recalls of townwide elected officials

Danvers voters could begin a recall process by filing an affidavit and then a petition. The process covers Danvers townwide elected officials with more than six months left in their term when the affidavit is filed. The affidavit must have at least 350 registered voters’ signatures and name the official, the office, and the grounds for recall. The petition must be filed within 20 business days after the clerk issues it and have signatures from at least 20 percent of voters on the most recent annual election list. An official’s vote on a matter is not valid grounds for recall unless it relates to a conflict-of-interest violation. Voters decide whether the stated grounds are sufficient. The official must have more than six months left in the term when the affidavit is filed. The petition is due within 20 business days after the clerk issues it.

If enough signatures are certified and the official does not resign, the select board would order a recall election. These rules apply to an official covered by the recall process after registrars certify enough valid signatures. The official would remain in office until the election. If recalled, the official would be removed immediately; the remaining board members could fill the vacancy until voters elect a successor at the next annual election. A recall petition could not be filed during an official’s first six months in office or within six months after an election in which the official was not recalled. A recalled official could not be appointed to a town office for 12 months. The election would be held 64 to 90 days after signature certification. If another town election will occur within 100 days of certification, the select board may postpone the recall election until that election.