Recalling a governor is rare -- trying to, not so much

Washington (CNN) -- Many have tried, especially in California, but few have managed to successfully oust a U.S. governor through a recall election.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker faces that possibility Tuesday, due to Democratic outrage over steps last year by Walker and his Republican colleagues in the state legislature to weaken public unions.

If Wisconsin voters toss out Walker in favor of Milwaukee's Democratic mayor, Tom Barrett, it will be only the third such electoral ousting of a governor in American history.

North Dakota kicked out Gov. Lynn Frazier in 1921, and California got rid of Gov. Gray Davis in 2003, according to the Center on the American Governor at Rutgers University's Eagleton Institute of Politics.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker addresses supporters Tuesday night after winning the Wisconsin recall election, defeating Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

Walker supporters celebrate his victory Tuesday at Bullfeathers restaurant in Washington.

Barrett supporters watch election results come in Tuesday stacking in Walker's favor.

Barrett concedes defeat to Walker on Tuesday at an election night gathering in Milwaukee.

On March 11, 2011, Walker signs a bill that ends the collective bargaining rights of public employees as a measure to close the state's budget shortfall.

Thousands of demonstrators gather outside the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison the following day to protest the bill signing.

Richard Trumka, national AFL-CIO president, speaks to protesters in the capital rotunda during a rally in opposition to Walker's proposal.

Union members and protesters fill the capitol rotunda in Madison.

Walker testifies at a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington as protesters wave signs behind him, April 14, 2011.

The marquee at the Orpheum Theatre in Madison, Wisconsin, mocks Walker with "Total Recall" movie reference on March 11, 2011.

Farmers drive past the Wisconsin State Capitol during a rally March 12, 2011, in Madison.

Recall propnents deliver over 900,000 certified signatures in support of the recall to the Government Accountability Offices in Madison, Wisconsin on January 17, 2011.

Former president Bill Clinton campaigns for Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett who is running against Walker in the recall election.

Walker visits Quad Graphics during a campaign stop in Sussex, Wisconsin, on June 1.

Opposing signs along a rode in Beloit, Wisconsin, can be seen on June 4, the day before voting in the recall election.

Residents in Beloit, Wisconsin, vote in the recall election Tuesday.

Walker wins recall

Walker supporters cheer

Election returns roll in

Barrett concedes defeat

The roots of Wisconsin's recall election

The roots of Wisconsin's recall election

The roots of Wisconsin's recall election

The roots of Wisconsin's recall election

The roots of Wisconsin's recall election

The roots of Wisconsin's recall election

The roots of Wisconsin's recall election

The roots of Wisconsin's recall election

The roots of Wisconsin's recall election

The roots of Wisconsin's recall election

The roots of Wisconsin's recall election

The roots of Wisconsin's recall election

HIDE CAPTION

<<

<

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

>

>>

Wisconsin recall: Dry run for November

Obama skipping Wisconsin recall vote?

Gubernatorial recall efforts seem to be a state pastime in California. Every governor elected since 1968, including Ronald Reagan, were targeted by recall attempts, the center's website says.

In total, 19 states permit recall elections for governors and other state officials, including Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and, of course, Wisconsin and California, the center says on its website.

The District of Columbia also permits recall elections, and Virginia allows recall by trial, according to the center.

In Tuesday's balloting, Wisconsin voters also will decide whether to recall Walker's lieutenant governor and four Republican state senators.

What's at stake in Wisconsin?

Walker's fate in Wisconsin comes down to ground game

Dollars roll in from far beyond Wisconsin for recall

Does Obama's absence portend outcome of Wisconsin recall vote?