Alameda County

Alameda County Supervisors Consider Changes in Procedures for Recalling Elected Officials

The impact of the passage of this measure on the current well-funded attempt to unseat Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price is uncertain at present. The final decision on whether to place the measure on the ballot, which the board recently approved unanimously at a first reading, was postponed at this week’s meeting to the Nov. 14 board meeting.

Published

11 months ago

November 3, 2023

Oakland Post

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price. File photo.

By Post News Group

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors is considering placing a measure on the ballot next year that would overhaul the procedures for how the county conducts recall elections.

The impact of the passage of this measure on the current well-funded attempt to unseat Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price is uncertain at present.

The final decision on whether to place the measure on the ballot, which the board recently approved unanimously at a first reading, was postponed at this week’s meeting to the Nov. 14 board meeting.

According to County Counsel Donna Ziegler, the county’s current rules are outdated and include unconstitutional provisions, lack necessary procedures, and follow unfeasible election law.

“In order to provide the public and the Registrar of Voters with clear and achievable standards for conducting a recall, it is recommended that your board adopt an ordinance to amend the charter,” Ziegler wrote in a report to the board.

Ziegler’s report said the changes are necessary to align county laws with the state’s and eliminate “decades-old procedures (that are) a detriment to ensuring lawful, competent, and timely recalls.”

If passed, the measure would appear on the March 2024 ballot for voters to decide.

The measures would replace current procedures for conducting recall elections with the wording: “California state law applicable to the recall of county officers shall govern the recall of County of Alameda elected and appointed officers.”

Alameda County is the only county in California whose charter “deviates from” and “is at odds with” the state’s recall laws, wrote the Alameda County Registrar of Voters, according to a KQED interview.

Supervisor Nate Miley told KQED he did not think that the change would impact the recall campaign against Price.

“It’s just a matter of impracticality in the charter, the way the charter outlines it,” Miley said. “It would be almost an impracticality to put it on a March 5 election. There may be a special election, maybe, but I’m not even sure that will be the case if we’re aligning with a state law.”

The change in recall procedures could potentially increase the number of signatures needed to put a recall on the ballot, which could raise the cost of signature gathering by as much as $200,000.

At present, county rules require a recall campaign to submit about 73,000 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. Under state guidelines, about 93,000 signatures would be needed.

State law would also provide election officials more time to count signatures and arrange an election, could potentially postpone a special recall election to coincide with a regularly scheduled election, such as the next presidential election.

Such a change could shift the voting electorate in a more liberal direction, which would mean more supporters of DA Price’s reform criminal justice agenda might be likely to vote.

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Alameda County

Alameda County Democratic Party Opposes the Recall of Mayor Sheng Thao

In a decisive vote last week, the Alameda County Democratic Party, the local arm of the Democratic Party, announced its Opposition to the recall effort against Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. The Mayor said, “I’m proud to have the Democratic Party stand in strong Opposition to the recall. What Oakland needs now is stability and continued progress in driving down crime and getting our streets clean. If the recall passes, it will create unimaginable instability for Oakland.”

Published

3 days ago

October 1, 2024

Oakland Post

Alameda County Democratic Party Chair Igor Tregub explained their club's recall position by saying, "Mayor Sheng Thao has consistently demonstrated her commitment to Oakland’s values, including economic justice, housing affordability, and public safety.

In a decisive vote last week, the Alameda County Democratic Party, the local arm of the Democratic Party, announced its Opposition to the recall effort against Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao.

The Mayor said, “I’m proud to have the Democratic Party stand in strong Opposition to the recall. What Oakland needs now is stability and continued progress in driving down crime and getting our streets clean. If the recall passes, it will create unimaginable instability for Oakland. We could see four Oakland Mayors in the span of two years and possibly five Mayors within a span of three years. The recall will cost taxpayers upwards of $10 million, which is the same cost of having 35 officers on our streets. This recall is costly, risky, and is a transparent attempt, almost exclusively, by one millionaire hedge fund exec who lives in Piedmont to overturn a free and fair election.”

Alameda County Democratic Party Chair Igor Tregub explained their club’s recall position by saying, “Mayor Sheng Thao has consistently demonstrated her commitment to Oakland’s values, including economic justice, housing affordability, and public safety. The Alameda County Democratic Party is proud to stand with Mayor Thao and rejects this attempt to undermine her leadership. For more information, contact: OaklandersDefendDemocracy@gmail.com

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Alameda County

Man Charged in Deadly Hit-and-Run Collision That Killed an Oakland Teenager and Injured Her Mother

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price announced that Agusto Matias has been charged with multiple felonies as the alleged driver in a deadly hit- and-run incident, killing a teenage girl and injuring her mother. Matias, 37, is charged with felony gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, D.U.I/alcohol causing injury, driving with a 0.8% blood alcohol causing injury, leaving the scene of an accident [death/permanent serious injury], and misdemeanor hit-and-run driving and unlicensed driver.

Published

3 weeks ago

September 16, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price.

Special to The Post

Matias, 37, is charged with felony gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, D.U.I/alcohol causing injury, driving with a 0.8% blood alcohol causing injury, leaving the scene of an accident [death/permanent serious injury], and misdemeanor hit-and-run driving and unlicensed driver.

According to the complaint, the incident happened on or about August 19. It is alleged that Matias was fleeing the scene of a bumper-to-bumper collision on Havenscourt near International Boulevard when he allegedly struck and killed one victim and injured a second victim.

Both victims were in the crosswalk when the collision occurred.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce that my office has filed charges against an individual accused of extremely reckless driving that resulted in the tragic loss of a young life,” said District Attorney Pamela Price.

“I want to extend my condolences to the family. No parent should ever have to bury their child under such avoidable circumstances. Our thoughts are with them during this incredibly difficult time.

“This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired and reckless driving,” Price said. “It is a preventable crime that destroys lives, devastates families, and places all of our lives in danger unnecessarily. This type of unconscionable behavior will not be tolerated on our city streets.”

The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office (DAO) is one of California’s largest prosecutors’ offices and is led by Alameda County’s first Black woman District Attorney Pamela Y. Price. Price brings her vision to this office to fairly administer justice in the pursuit of thriving, healthy, and safe communities for every person who steps foot in Alameda County, no matter their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, income, or zip code.

Price has been recognized as one of the most progressive prosecutors through her forward-thinking, innovative strategies to interrupt cycles of violence and crime and bring change to a criminal justice system rooted in systemic racism. Follow Madam DA on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and @AlamedaCountyda on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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Alameda County

D.A. Pamela Price Charges Two with Attempted Murder in Freeway Shooting on Interstate 880

DA Pamela Price has charged Elias Nathaniel Jimenez, 22, and co-defendant Maria Rosalia Martinez, 43, with multiple felonies for an alleged freeway shooting in the City of Hayward. Both defendants are charged with one count of attempted murder, assault with a semi-automatic firearm, an additional count of shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, and possession of a large capacity magazine, among other charges. In addition, Jimenez is charged with two special allegations: use of a firearm and use of a loaded unregistered firearm.

Published

1 month ago

August 28, 2024

Oakland Post

D.A. Pamela Price. File photo

Special to The Post

DA Pamela Price has charged Elias Nathaniel Jimenez, 22, and co-defendant Maria Rosalia Martinez, 43, with multiple felonies for an alleged freeway shooting in the City of Hayward.

Both defendants are charged with one count of attempted murder, assault with a semi-automatic firearm, an additional count of shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, and possession of a large capacity magazine, among other charges. In addition, Jimenez is charged with two special allegations: use of a firearm and use of a loaded unregistered firearm.

The criminal complaint alleges that on or about Aug. 6, Jimenez and Martinez shot into another vehicle that was occupied by an adult and an underage passenger traveling on Interstate 880.

“These allegations involve shooting from a moving vehicle at another car driving on the freeway, which is beyond dangerous,” said Price. “The charges, which include enhancements, reflect the seriousness of these alleged crimes and my commitment to hold those accountable who use guns in our community for such senseless and violent acts.”

If convicted and sentenced of all charges, Jimenez faces a maximum of 23 years and 9 months in state prison while Martinez faces a maximum of 13 years and 2 months in state prison. Both defendants are scheduled to appear for a bail hearing on August 27 in Department 112 at the Wiley Manuel Courthouse.

This story comes from The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office media office.