Conrad foes press ND Supreme Court for recall

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's Supreme Court will consider whether voters have the power to force a recall election for a member of Congress.

The justices are hearing arguments Wednesday. The dispute arose when Secretary of State Al Jaeger refused to approve a petition to recall North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad. A recall forces an early election for a public official if voters don't like the job he or she is doing.

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem says the North Dakota Constitution doesn't allow for recalls of members of the U.S. Senate and House. Recall supporters don't agree with Stenehjem's reasoning and they've taken their case to the Supreme Court.

A successful recall campaign against Conrad would need almost 79,000 petition signatures. Conrad is up for re-election next year.

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