By Julie Barrett, Founder of Conservative Ladies of America https://x.com/juliecbarrett
The Hard Truth About Washington’s Recall Process
Let me walk you through exactly why this process is designed to protect elected officials, not remove them
Step 1: Filing the Petition
First, a registered Washington voter must file a petition with the Secretary of State’s office. This sounds simple enough, but here’s where it gets tricky. The petition must clearly state specific charges of malfeasance, misfeasance, or violation of oath of office, supported by verifiable facts.
Most importantly, the petition must demonstrate that the elected official intended to break the law. This intent requirement is where most recall efforts die. Even if you believe Governor Ferguson has signed unconstitutional bills, proving he intentionally violated his oath is extraordinarily difficult.
Article 1, Section 33 of the Washington Constitution requires that the targeted official has “committed some act or acts of malfeasance or misfeasance while in office, or who has violated his oath of office.” The bar is set deliberately high.
Step 2: The Judicial Review Hurdle
Even if you craft the perfect petition, a Superior Court judge must sign off and evaluate whether the charges are factually and legally sufficient to proceed. This is where the process typically ends.
Remember the multiple recall attempts against Governor Jay Inslee between 2018 and 2022? Every single time, judges found the claims insufficient. They couldn’t prove intent to violate the law, even during the controversial COVID-19 restrictions of 2020-2021 when many felt Inslee overstepped his authority.
If judges couldn’t find Inslee in violation during those contentious times, what are the chances they’ll approve charges against Ferguson for signing bills that were already passed by the legislature? Keep in mind, those bills would have become law with or without his signature.
Step 3: The Signature Mountain
Let’s imagine you somehow find a judge willing to approve your petition. Now you face the signature requirement: 25% of the total voters from the previous gubernatorial election.
If 4 million people voted in the last governor’s race, you’d need 1 million signatures from registered voters. You have just 270 days to collect them.
This isn’t a grassroots, volunteer-only operation. You’re looking at needing several million dollars for paid signature gatherers, similar to the “Let’s Go Washington” initiatives that had significant funding behind them.
Step 4: The Election (If You Get There)
Suppose you overcome all these hurdles and collect the required signatures. The recall would then go to a ballot election. Given Washington’s election processes and the typical voting patterns, success at this stage would be unlikely.
But here’s the kicker: even if you succeeded in recalling Ferguson, Lieutenant Governor Danny Heck would take over. He’s also a Democrat who would likely be controlled by the Democratic legislature until the next election in 2028.
The Real Problem: Captured Courts and Systemic Issues
The biggest obstacle isn’t the signature requirement or even the funding—it’s the judicial review process. Washington State courts have been largely captured by the left, making it nearly impossible to find a judge who would approve a recall petition against a Democratic governor.
This systematic capture extends beyond the courts to local governments across the state, which is why we’ve seen traditionally conservative communities shift left over time.
A Better Strategy: Think Local, Act Local
Instead of pursuing an almost impossible recall, here’s what I recommend for Washington conservatives who are staying in the state:
Get involved in local elections. This year features numerous local races including:
- City council seats
- County council positions
- School board elections
- Utility district positions
These local races are where you can create real change and build the foundation necessary for future statewide success. The left has been incredibly successful at capturing these positions across Washington, which is exactly how they’ve managed to shift entire communities leftward.
Local elections often have lower turnout and smaller candidate pools, making your involvement more impactful. Volunteer for candidates who share your values, donate what you can, and encourage like-minded friends to get involved.
Warning: Beware of Fake Petitions
I’ve seen Change.org petitions circulating on social media claiming to be recall efforts for Governor Ferguson. Do not sign these.
First, Change.org is a leftist-run platform primarily used for data collection. Second, these petitions aren’t real recall petitions and can’t lead to any actual legal action. A legitimate recall petition must be filed with the Secretary of State and go through the judicial review process.
These fake petitions only serve to distract from real action and give people the false impression they’ve done something meaningful.
The Bottom Line
I hate being the bearer of bad news, but false hope helps no one. The recall process in Washington State is designed to fail, and the systematic capture of courts and local governments makes success nearly impossible.
If you’re staying in Washington, channel your energy into winnable local races where you can make a real difference. If you’re planning to leave the state, make sure you get active wherever you land—the left will take ground whenever conservatives aren’t fighting for it.
The path forward isn’t through impossible recalls but through building a strong foundation at the local level and working our way up. It’s harder work and takes longer, but it’s the only realistic path to creating the change Washington desperately needs.
