Final answer:
The procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote before their term has ended is known as a recall election (option B).
A recall election is the process by which voters can directly remove an elected official from office before the end of their term. This form of direct democracy allows for voter-initiated removal of officeholders, ensuring accountability and allowing citizens to have a direct impact on their government.
Step-by-step explanation:
A recall (option B) is a citizen-initiated petition process designed to allow voters the opportunity to remove an elected official from office through a democratic vote. If the majority of voters decide to recall the official, then that official is duly removed from their position.
Recall elections are a form of direct democracy, a system where citizens have a direct impact on government policies and officials, rather than through representation alone. This process provides a check on elected officials by their constituents to ensure accountability. Such measures not only express the will of the people but also serve as a counterbalance to the powers of the elected officials, offering an avenue for citizens to assert their political influence.