Updated: Shyne Recall takes root but faces long road to ballot box

A recall effort to remove Mayor Sepi Shyne has finalized it’s petition. The campaign www.DeclineShyne.com faces several steps before a ballot measure can be presented to voters.

The first step to remove an incumbent council member requires the drafting of petition to be presented to registered voters. A copy of the final draft has been shared with WEHOville.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO CIRCULATE RECALL PETITION:

TO THE HONORABLE SEPI SHYNE: Pursuant to Section 11020, California Elections Code, the undersigned registered qualified voters of the City of West Hollywood, in Los Angeles County, in the State of California, hereby give notice that we are the proponents of a recall petition and that we intend to seek your recall and removal from the office as a Member of City Council, in the City of West Hollywood, and to demand the election of a successor in that office.

The grounds for this recall are as follows: Councilmember Shyne has engaged in multiple egregious actions that have harmed the residents of our city. She retaliated against a rape victim who spoke out through a local media channel, and she also retaliated against a disabled resident. She attacked a former board member of the Chamber of Commerce and attempted to have him removed from his position. She voted to defund the police, leaving our city vulnerable to rising crime rates. She lied about taking money from unions, betraying the trust of her constituents. She appointed commissioners who have engaged in discriminatory behavior, promoting an unfair and unequal environment. Additionally, she prioritizes public policy for people who live outside the city, rather than residents. She governs through spitefulness and vindictiveness, and has sold out our business community, leaving them without a voice. She consistently violates many provisions of the First Amendment, interfering with resident’s right to free expression and our right to petition the government for redress of grievances. Shyne announced her run for Congress before completing one term as an elected member of the West Hollywood City Council. For these reasons, we the people must take action to recall Councilmember Shyne and prevent further harm to our city.

To initiate a recall effort, petitioners must gather 60 verified signatures from West Hollywood residents. Those signatures are then presented to the City Clerk for verification. A ten-day waiting period begins for the City Clerk to verify the signatures. During the 10-day period the subject of the recall may respond to the petition. The candidate’s response is included along with the petition when gathering signatures.

Once the signatures are verified by the City Clerk, petitioners have 120 days to collect valid signatures from 20% of registered voters. Only registered voters from West Hollywood may sign the petition. The City of West Hollywood has just shy of 30,000 registered voters, or approximately 6000 signatures are needed to effect the recall.

The signatures are then submitted to the City Clerk for verification. Once verified, the City Council has 30 days to set a date for the recall election.

If the recall election is successful Shyne would be removed from office at the very next council meeting. The City Council may then appoint a successor to complete the remainder of the recalled term or hold a special election to fill the open seat. Any resident over the age of 18 is eligible to run and serve the remainder of the candidate’s term. Shyne’s term ends at the first meeting of December 2024.

The demographics of West Hollywood pose challenges for any recall effort. West Hollywood is dominated by apartment and condo buildings which do not provide easy access for face-to-face signature gathering.

Email for information: [email protected]

Updated: Click to download link for signatures. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wi7Kp3gjGYg7eRsBCZCZD38IhAPTi-yc/view?usp=shari