Opinion ID: 2514089
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: analysis

Text: The Washington State Constitution provides that the citizens of this state may seek the removal of a public official from her duly elected office before her term expires through a recall election. CONST. art. I, §§ 33-34; In re Recall of Pearsall-Stipek, 141 Wash.2d 756, 764, 10 P.3d 1034 (2000). The process for initiating a recall election is detailed in chapter 29.82 RCW, and RCW 29.82.010 further defines the causes for which a public official may be recalled from public office. [1] We have previously recognized that the state legislature has limited the recall process so that public officials will be protected from petitions based on frivolous or unsubstantiated charges. Chandler v. Otto, 103 Wash.2d 268, 274, 693 P.2d 71 (1984). Although the courts serve a gateway function in the recall process, we do not attempt to evaluate the truthfulness of the charges in a petition. In re Recall of Beasley, 128 Wash.2d 419, 427, 908 P.2d 878 (1996). Rather, the court's function is limited to evaluating the legal and factual sufficiency of the charges. Pearsall-Stipek, 141 Wash.2d at 764, 10 P.3d 1034. Finally, when we review a trial court's decision, this court will apply the same reviewing criteria as the superior court. Id.