Ross recall

The Clark County Election Department is verifying signatures on petitions to recall Las Vegas City Councilman Steve Ross. The petition's backers want him removed from office because they say he broke a promise to refuse a council pay raise; failed to help a business secure a zoning waiver needed to keep its doors open; and refuses to support the low bidder for the county's bus contract, among other complaints.

If at least 1,084 signatures of the 1,156 submitted are found to be valid, the recall election will go forward.

Mr. Ross' supporters, meanwhile, have been attempting to track down voters who signed the paperwork and secure affidavits seeking to remove their names from the petition. At least 23 such affidavits have been submitted to the city clerk, although recall supporters say some are from people who never signed the petition in the first place.

This comes close to crossing a line. Imagine if you signed a petition because you were unhappy with your representative, only to have someone knock on your door and say, "We'd like you to reconsider." That's enough to discourage someone from ever signing a petition again.

Regardless of whether Mr. Ross deserves to be recalled, those circulating the petitions have a right to do so. Going after those who sign their name to the effort and asking them to back off is unseemly and verges on intimidation. Elected officials should think twice before bothering unhappy constituents for exercising a vital right.