California: Signature gathering begins in recall of Oakland Mayor

Signature gathering has started in the recall effort against Oakland Mayor Sheng Tao, with crime issues taking centerstage. Tao has fired the Oakland Police Chief and rejected three possible replacements proposed by a committee. There is discussion about people collecting signatures, but paperwork may not have been submitted (and certainly wasn't approved).

One of the leaders of the recall effort is Alameda County Judge Brenda Harbin-Forte, who served on the Police Commission and was removed by Tao.

Petitioners would need 10% of registered voters, which should be (at the moment) 24,638 signatures.