The Region : Ballots for Ousted Councils
Assemblyman Paul V. Horcher (R-Covina) has introduced legislation that would require replacement candidates to be placed on ballots that ask voters to consider recalling a majority of their City Council.
Horcher said his legislation is designed to allow for the immediate installment of new council members in the event a majority is recalled. Covina voters ousted all five council members on July 13, but the defeated members will run the city until an election is held in November.
“They are making million-dollar decisions when it’s obvious the people have no confidence in them,” he said.
State law now allows city councils to decide whether replacement candidates will be elected immediately in the event a majority is recalled, or whether a special election should be held three months later. Covina chose the latter. But councils won’t have a choice if Horcher’s legislation is passed.
Horcher’s bill would not affect state law allowing councils to either appoint new members or hold a special election if a minority is recalled.
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