Which process involves collecting signatures to prompt a vote on elected officials?

The process of collecting signatures to prompt a vote on elected officials is known as a recall. This mechanism allows citizens to remove an elected official from office before the end of their term. The recall process typically requires a specified number of signatures from registered voters on a petition, demonstrating a significant level of public support for the effort to hold a vote on the official's continued service.

When enough valid signatures are gathered, a recall election is scheduled, where voters can decide whether to remove the official from office or allow them to continue serving their term. This process serves as a tool for accountability, allowing voters to exert control over their elected representatives.

In contrast, legislation refers to the process of creating laws, while a referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal, often involving policy or amendments to existing laws. Direct democracy encompasses broader forms of democratic governance allowing citizens to have a direct say in policies and laws, but it does not specifically indicate the recall of elected officials.