How to completely screw up a recall election:

1. Get a federal panel of three judges to declare a delay to a state special election until March 2004, effective in seven days.
2. Wait.
3. Get the rest of the circuit to agree to review the case.
4. Wait.
5. After the original seven days are up, get the rest of the circuit to agree with the first three judges, and tell everyone to take it up with the Supreme Court.

There, you've now completely screwed up the election because all this time has passed and October 7th is here before you know it. Even if the Supreme Court overturns the original two decisions, guess what? You're screwed because too much time has passed and some of the voting districts have closed up shop.