Los Angeles Clerk Approves Harris-Dawson Recall Petition
Proponents have begun circulating a recall petition for Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Civic Engagement
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The Los Angeles City Clerk has officially approved a draft recall petition targeting City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson. Organizers are now authorized to collect signatures from voters within the Eighth Council District to trigger a recall election.
Why it matters
The recall process offers a formal mechanism for constituents to challenge the tenure of their elected representative before the end of a regular term. If proponents meet the required threshold, the matter will move to a ballot for Eighth Council District voters to decide.
Proponents must secure 21,569 valid signatures, representing 15% of the total registered voter population in the Eighth Council District. These signatures must be submitted by the established deadline to officially qualify the recall for the ballot.
The players
Marqueece Harris-Dawson
He is the current President of the Los Angeles City Council and serves as the representative for the city's Eighth Council District.
Los Angeles City Clerk
This municipal office is responsible for managing city elections, maintaining legislative records, and overseeing the verification of recall petitions.
The details
The petition process began on Thursday following the City Clerk's approval earlier in the week. Proponents must ensure all gathered signatures are valid and filed before the final deadline to force an election regarding Marqueece Harris-Dawson's seat.
Timeline
October 28, 2026: The City Clerk approved the draft recall petition.
October 29, 2026: Petition circulation began.
February 25, 2027: Deadline for filing the petition with required signatures.
Political Context
The current petition drive follows the procedural framework set by the Los Angeles City Charter recall provisions. Opposition to this effort may emerge from supporters of the council president who argue that the recall process is being used to circumvent regular election cycles.
Residents of the Eighth Council District may encounter petition circulators in their neighborhoods as proponents work to meet the signature requirement. The official verification of these signatures by the City Clerk will determine if a recall election is placed on a future ballot.
The takeaway
The recall process requires significant grassroots support to transition from a draft petition to an actual election. Voters in the Eighth Council District should verify the credentials of any petition circulators before providing personal information.
What happens next
Proponents must file the completed petition with the required 21,569 valid signatures no later than February 25, 2027.
Further reading
For more information on the local legislative process, visit the Civic Engagement section.
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