Recall election is scheduled for April 7

The recall election to determine whether to remove from office three members of the Westminster City Council will be held on Tuesday, April 7.  Subject to recall are Mayor Tri Ta and council members Kimberly Ho and Chi Charlie Nguyen.

On a 5-0 vote Wednesday night, the council selected the date after defeating – on a 3-2 vote – a substitute motion to set the election later on May 5.

Action on setting the date came after an oral communications period that lasted nearly an hour and a half. Of those speaking about the recall, 14 people spoke against and five in favor.

In addition to deciding whether or not to recall the three council members, voters will also have a choice on who should replace them if they are removed from office.

The nomination period will begin on Thursday, Jan. 9 and conclude on Thursday, Jan. 23.  Candidates must submit a list of 20 valid signatures of registered Westminster voters to qualify for the election.

Also on Wednesday night, the council voted 5-0 to approve the allocation of $119,044.20 to reimburse the Orange County Registrar of Voters for the expenses associated with verifying the signatures on the recall petitions.

The election itself is expected to cost in excess of $300,000.