Santa Ana residents in Ward 3, the north and northeastern part of the city, are receiving their mail-in ballots and voter guides for a recall measure asking if Councilmember Jessie Lopez should be removed from office.
The recall effort gathered enough signatures earlier this year to force the public vote; Ward 3 voters now have until Nov. 14 to cast their ballot.
Lopez’s term ends in November 2024. If she is recalled, it would be up to the City Council to appoint someone to finish the term, or they could call another special election to fill the seat.
The recall effort, led by the Santa Ana Police Officers Association, accuses Lopez of “defunding the police” and supporting “destructive policies that have encouraged landlords to raise rents,” according to its statement in support that is included with the voter guide. It also lists her opposition to a 2021 ordinance targeting street racing and support of an “outrageous hike” to fees charged housing developers.
“The Police Officers Association, yes, has been at the forefront, but they’re not the only people that are behind this. There’s a lot of grassroots people that are behind this recall. The issues are not just about the police,” Tim Rush, chair of the recall effort, said. “She’s completely out of sync with her ward, along with, I think, a majority of people in the city.”
Rush said the recall effort against Lopez is driven by her stance on issues such as rent control, public safety and police funding.
“I would just encourage people to think carefully and to make their selection,” Rush said. “You need to stop and ask, ‘What has Jesse done for our ward? What has she done?’ And the reality, is she’s she’s done next to nothing.”
Lopez, who voted in favor of rent control and establishing a police oversight commission, said that from the very beginning of her term there have been unjust expectations placed on her for being a young woman of color.
“I don’t come…
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