Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price launched “Protect the Win,” her campaign against an anticipated recall, on Thursday in downtown Oakland, as the progressive DA and her supporters prepare to face well-funded and determined recall proponents.
There was a crowd of about 70 people, and it felt like a holiday party in the low-lit event space. Attendees with colorful name tags milled around the venue, striking up conversations and eating slices of pizza. The warm mood belied the fact that many in attendance believe a major progressive win in the county is facing a grave threat.
“We find ourselves at a critical juncture in our community’s history, facing a decision that can shape the future of our criminal justice system and the impact on our communities,” said supporter Saabir Lockett, who spent 21 years in prison and is now deputy director of civic engagement and faith-rooted organizing at the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy.
The recall of Price has yet to qualify for the ballot. Last week, recall proponents Save Alameda for Everyone: Recall DA Price — or SAFE — reported that they are well on the way to collecting the required number of signatures for the recall to be certified by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.
While a recall election seems increasingly likely, the date voters would cast their ballots remains a point of contention.
SAFE, which has criticized Price’s progressive policies like not charging minors as adults, wants the recall election to be held in June, which would be in accordance with county recall rules. But the registrar of voters sought to amend the county’s recall laws in favor of state rules, saying the current rules are outdated and infeasible. The county has good reason to be looking closely at its processes after errors in last year’s election brought voter confidence in the office to a new low.
The difference between the state and county rules on recalls is key because each set of rules has distinct timelines. Special and primary elections tend to have lower voter turnout than general elections, especially during a presidential election year. State rules favor holding the recall in November.
State rules would give the registrar more time to count and verify signatures. It would also raise the number of signatures required by about 20,000. On Tuesday, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, in a contentious 3–2 vote, put the decision in the hands of voters.
The supervisors agreed the rules need to be updated, but differed on whether the changes should happen with a recall pending.
