Which reform gives voters the power to remove an elected official from office?

• A. Initiative
• B. Referendum
• C. Recall
• D. Direct Primary

Answer: (C)

Recall is a reform that directly empowers voters to remove a sitting official from office before the end of their term. In practice, supporters circulate petitions to meet a state-defined threshold of signatures; if met, a recall election is held. If a majority votes to remove the official, they are ousted and a replacement is often elected at the same time. This mechanism emerged from Progressive Era efforts to curb corruption and give citizens more direct control over government, countering the influence of political machines.

The other options operate in different ways: initiative lets voters propose new laws, referendum lets voters approve or reject laws already passed by the legislature, and direct primary is about choosing party nominees rather than removing officeholders.