New Bedford voters could petition to remove elected city officials

New Bedford voters would be allowed to petition for an election to remove an elected city official. Voters would have to name the official and state their reasons for seeking removal. Starting a citywide recall would require 1,800 voters, including at least 300 from each ward; a ward recall would require 300 ward voters. The full petition would need signatures from at least 15% of registered voters in the city or ward, measured at the last regular city election. For citywide recalls, each ward would need to supply at least 10% of the petition signatures. Petitions could not start in an official's first four months or again that term after an unsuccessful recall election. No election could occur with less than eight months left when petitions are certified. Full petitions would be due within 45 days of issuance.

The city council would order a recall election after election officials certify enough petition signatures. An official who has not resigned would keep serving until the recall election. The official would have five days after notice to resign before the council must order an election. A majority voting on the recall question would need to support removal. At least 15% of registered voters in the city or affected ward would have to vote for the election to count. The election would occur 45–70 days after the council receives certified petitions, or alongside another city election within 90 days. Removal would take effect when results are certified.

A recalled official would be barred from filling the vacancy caused by that recall. The city would fill the vacancy under its charter, the city's governing rules. The bar would cover both running in an election and receiving an appointment to fill that vacancy. The act would take effect upon passage.