The HIstory of Louisiana Recalls

With the advent of my cousin Ruben LeBlanc starting moveonmary.org a recall of a federal Senator, something which has never been done before, I think it appropriate to look at the history of recalls in Louisiana. My own experience goes back the days of EWE and Ted Schirmer, a quick look:

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06-18-1992

STATE REPORT - LOUISIANA: EDWARDS RECALL PROCEEDING

Foes of pro-life Gov. Edwin Edwards (D) began a petition
     drive 6/15 to oust him from office.  The recall effort, headed by
     atty Ted Schirmer, has until 12/14 to collect 745,00 signatures;
     one-third of LA's registered voters.  If the goal is reached, "a
     statewide election would be called in which voters would decide"
     whether Edwards should stay in office -- the election would be
     held within 60 days of petition certification (Wardlaw, N.O.
     TIMES-PICAYUNE, 6/17).  Pro-choice LG Melinda Schwegmann (D), who
     does not support the effort, would become governor if Edwards is
     recalled.  Edwards "is not worried" as he survived a recall drive
     during his previous term in '84 (Monroe NEWS-STAR, 6/16).

--- "http://www.kaisernetwork.org/reports/1992/06/a920618.11.html"

I opened the New Orleans office for the recall effort, then had the group from BR come down to run it. There is a lot to do to get enough signatures in the legal way to get a state elected official recalled. Money is donated and has to accounted for. A previous court ruling about recall methods is here:

http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F3/2/2.F3d.117.92-3900.html

Basically a recall petition to collect signatures must not be located within 600 feet of a poling location. Ruben and his team of recall patriots do need one third of votes, but not without a battle of the legal question of whether the signatures count. This following article tells a story about what it looks like from a reporter who interviewed Jay Darden, LA Secretary of State.

http://www.dailyworld.com/article/20100108/NEWS01/1080317/Group-wants-to-recall-petition-on-Landrieu

Please share your opinions as I look at the history of recall Louisiana Style.