FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RECALL OF MAYOR SHENG THAO
Q: If I already signed a form about Mayor Thao’s recall in January, do I need to sign again?
A: YES. The form you signed in January was the “notice of intent” to recall the Mayor. We now need you to sign one of the formal recall petitions, which we began circulating on February 17, so please sign “again.”
Q: Is California the only state that allows voters to recall elected officials?
A: NO. California is only one of approximately 19 states plus the District of Columbia that permits voters to recall elected officials, and Oakland is one of at least 30 jurisdictions that permits local elected officials to be recalled. (Source, National Conference of State Legislatures). The California Secretary of State’s website observes, “Recall is the power of the voters to remove elected officials before their terms expire. It has been a fundamental part of our governmental system since 1911 and has been used by voters to express their dissatisfaction with their elected representatives.“
Q: As an Oaklander, do I have a constitutional right to seek to recall Mayor Thao?
A: YES. See Art. 2, Secs. 13-19 of the California Constitution and Elections Code Sections 11000-11386.
Q: Isn’t the exercise of a constitutional right an important component of our democracy?
A: YES. Contrary to what recall opponents would have you believe, our recall is an example of democracy in action. Anyone who truly believes in democracy should welcome this process, not try to suppress it.
Q: Is this the first time Oaklanders have sought to recall a mayor?
A: NO. Ironically, Cat Brooks, one of the main opponents of our recall effort, sought to recall Mayor Libby Schaaf after the 2018 election. Mayor Jean Quan was also sought to be recalled. Don’t buy into hypocrisy.
Q: Shouldn’t the recall proponents give Mayor Thao more time in office?
A: ABSOLUTELY NOT. Mayor Thao's incompetence and dishonesty have inflicted substantial harm on Oakland. She hastily placed former Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong on administrative leave and unjustly terminated him within a month of taking office, leaving us without a permanent police chief for over a year now. Her failure to apply for a state grant resulted in Oakland missing out on millions to combat retail theft. Under her leadership, the Oakland A’s chose to relocate to Las Vegas. Rising crime rates persist due to her poor decisions, forcing recall supporters to seek assistance from Governor Newsom, who deployed the CHP to aid in crime reduction. The Governor is now implementing a 10-point plan to address crime and other issues in Oakland. With businesses closing daily, Oakland is effectively under siege. A new mayor is crucial for our city's recovery.
Q: Is ranked choice voting the reason Sheng Thao was elected as Oakland’s mayor?
A: YES. Without ranked choice voting, Sheng Thao would not be the Mayor of Oakland. She received less than a third of first choice votes, so almost 70% of Oaklanders did not want her to be mayor.
Q: Is it improper to pay people who may not live in Oakland to gather signatures on the recall petitions?
A: NO. This is all legal and proper for ballot initiatives in Oakland. The Oakland City Charter governs recalls of local officials, and it does not require that signature gatherers must live in Oakland.