One reason the recall may fail has nothing to do Pamela Price
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—ROV KIDDING ME?—The recall campaign against Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price has potential to qualify for the ballot sometime next year. The real story may not focus on the pros and cons of recalling the self-described “Madame DA,” but whether embattled Alameda County Registrar of Voters Tim Dupuis bungles the process.
—Based on the events of the past nine months, there is the possibility the registrar could offer incorrect information, offer none at all, or screw up the process of determining the validity of voters’ signatures.
—Over the past year, we’ve seen these types of errors at the Alameda County Registrar’s office, including a systemic lack of communication with candidates and voters and, famously, the certification of a ranked choice voting winner in an Oakland school board race that turned out to be incorrect.
—As for the recall of Price and the specter of another registrar meltdown, just look at Los Angeles for clues as to what may be ahead for Alameda County.
—Los Angeles Registrar of Voters Dean Logan rejected a recall campaign last year for District Attorney George Gascon, citing a lack of qualifying signatures.
—A lawsuit filed last week by the committee behind the recall asserts Logan gave them an incorrect target for the number of valid signatures required to get their effort on the ballot. The actual number was 230,000 less than Logan initially told the committee.
—In addition, there are questions about Los Angeles voter rolls and why roughly 22,000 voters were included in the total and may have moved to another county or state. Questions about standards for reviewing signatures also exist in Los Angeles.
—There’s already rumors in Alameda County that Dupuis and county counsel are scrambling to figure out the most rudimentary aspects of how the recall of Price is to be conducted and whether there is clarity in the County Charter on the subject.
—It’s unclear when was the last time a recall of an Alameda County official occurred, so the unique dynamics of the election may have no precedent for county elections officials to serve as a guide.
—The Alameda County Board of Supervisors have largely avoided direct criticism of Dupuis even after the screw up involving ranked choice voting in the Oakland school board race.
—In addition, the Board of Supervisors has essentially allowed Dupuis to maintain autonomy, despite the fact he is not elected, but an appointee.
—However, the Board of Supervisors did create an Alameda County Elections Commission this spring, but it’s unlikely to be useful for the 2024 primary season and potential recall campaign.
—Just seven months away from the primary, the Election Commission is barely off the ground.
—Just one of its members have been formally appointed and a bevy of administrative moves to guide the future commission will take time to take hold.
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