Final answer:
A recall is a process where citizens initiate a petition and an election to potentially remove an elected official from office before the end of their term.
Step-by-step explanation:
When citizens gather authorized signatures in an attempt to hold a new election with the hope of removing an official, it is called a recall. A recall is a citizen-initiated petition process that aims to remove an elected official from office before the end of their term. If enough citizens vote to remove the official in a recall election, the official is ousted. However, if the recall election does not garner enough votes, the official stays in office. This is one of the several mechanisms of direct democracy, alongside the referendum and initiative, allowing citizens to have a direct impact on their governance.