In a recent editorial about recalling elected officials, we should have mentioned that Maine allows its supreme court to remove governors, on petition by the Legislature or secretary of state.

For lawmakers to ask the court, the House and Senate must pass a joint resolution requesting removal. The secretary of state “may so certify” the governor is unfit for office, according to the Maine Constitution, to start the court process.

By neglecting this fact, we understated the checks-and-balances within Maine government to unseat officials who have lost the public trust, which is the situation now occurring in Illinois with disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Yet unseating by the court only applies to governors; most other offices in state and county government lack direct mechanisms for removal, besides two lengthy legislative proceedings, or impeachment.

Though Maine’s Constitution is stronger than we portrayed for removing bad governors, its weakness regarding other offices (state legislators, county commissioners or attorneys general) still begs for having recall.