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Bill

H 4202

An Act relative to the recall of any holder of elective office in the city of Chicopee

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Shirley Arriaga

H 4202 establishes a recall process allowing Chicopee voters to remove elected city officials through petition and election before their terms end.

Hearing scheduled for 07/08/2025 from 01:00 PM-04:00 PM in B-1
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Bill Summary · H 4202

Legislative bill overview

H 4202 establishes a recall mechanism allowing Chicopee voters to remove elected city officials before their terms expire through a petition and election process. The bill creates specific procedures and thresholds for initiating and conducting recall elections for any holder of elective office in the city.

Why is this important

Recall provisions fundamentally alter the relationship between elected officials and constituents by creating accountability mechanisms beyond regular elections. This affects municipal governance in Chicopee by potentially making officials more responsive to constituent concerns or, conversely, creating instability if recall efforts become frequent or politically weaponized.

Potential points of contention

  • Threshold requirements: The bill's petition signature requirements and vote percentages needed to trigger or succeed in a recall election will determine whether recall is a meaningful tool or an easily abused mechanism
  • Grounds for recall: Whether recalls can be initiated for any reason or only specific causes (misconduct, incompetence, etc.) significantly impacts how this power might be used
  • Cost and frequency: Recall elections impose financial and administrative burdens on municipalities; unclear provisions on how often recalls can be attempted against the same official could create perpetual instability

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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