What can be done about a City Council failing to vote according to their constituents?

Question

What recourse does a citizen have when a city council fails to vote according to the will of their constituents? Can they be impeached? Vote of no confidence? How can they be fired? Does there have to be an investigation into their motives for the vote?

Answer 1

You wouldn't happen to be in Richmond, VA now would ya?  

That City council was a joke about 10 years ago and now 2 of 'em are in prison!   Believe me, they deserved what they got!

Now, they have a former Governor for Mayor, Yup, that's right folks, thought he was their saving grace and you know what?  He's become the ridicule of the city and the surrounding counties.  So much for his good record and to boot, his son was just indicted on federal charges concerned with election $$'s!  How's that for a good name?  

Apparently, your city council lied to get into office and have defrauded the people but no, the only recourse you have is to vote them out next election.  OR, you can call them up every hour or go boycott their votes and risk disturbing the peace and getting locked up!

Answer 2

I guess they're learning from the Bush administration.

Answer 3

Depends on the rules in your city, just make sure to spread the word to not vote for them during their re-election.

Answer 4

Well they have to hold an election at some point. If it can't wait you can look into a recall election. If you suspect foul play and have some kind of proof you may want to call a local reporter.

Answer 5

Duh!!!!! it's called, vote them out next time. Churchill once said "People get the government they deserve"

Answer 6

Live in a town  with a runaway town board.

Largely voted out , but the damage was already done.

Sweetheart deals ...., no bid contracts, political favors etc., some leading to a huge tax burden.

Some actions that can be taken by individuals are petitions,

getting the press involved, writing to state representatives.

Unfortunately  apparent "mismanagement , & incompetence" unless proven to be "intentional "are not illegal.

If there is a town or city  legal representative  willing to pursue

the case ......demand explanations for the reasoning behind the votes.

the US attorney's office, FBI, State Comptrollers office, State's  attorney may be able to help if you have hard evidence of official corruption/ misconduct against past & present representatives if their voting habits benefit themselves.

Still fighting at several levels.

Document all your charges & the responses from each agency.

If their responses are weak or dismissive, demand full explanations & make as much noise as possible.

Best regards.

Answer 7

Run against them next election. That's it.

Answer 8

The simplist means of getting them fired is to vote in someone else.   The next, though expensive for the city is to initiate a re-call election.

Answer 9

Sorry-- They are elected by the people.  Vote for some one else when elections are happening.   Cause they do not vote your way does not make them bad...  You need to be elected for City Council.   Check at the voters office to see how to get on the ballet.   Then you can have constituents...

Answer 10

You can recall them, a tedious process, or at election time you can do what the entire nation shold do--- not vote for incumbents and continue to vote for a new band of thieves each and every election untill you get elected officials that are NOT SELF-SERVING.