Fullerton residents began their efforts to recall three city council members in Sept. 2011,  including Councilmember F. Richard Jones, Councilmember Don Bankhead and Mayor Pro Tem Pat McKinley.

The movement began after the death of Kelly Thomas, a homeless man who died after a confrontation with six Fullerton police officers July 5, 2011. Chris Thompson and Tony Bushala started the push by applying to begin a recall petition at Fullerton City Hall.

Fullerton City Clerk Lucinda Williams said there were a total of 33 proponents who signed the recall petitions to initiate the recall process.

“Proponents submitted more than 17,000 signatures. Each petition needs 10,544 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot,” said Williams.

According to Williams, Fullerton contracted with the Orange County Registrar of Voters to verify the signatures collected.

The next council meeting will determine if the recall petition is officially on the ballot. The council will also determine if this vote requires a standalone special election or if it can be grouped in the June primaries. If the three council members are not recalled, they will maintain their positions and serve out their terms.

Stephen Stambough, chair of the Department of Politics, Administration and Justice said it is difficult to recall almost anything. He explained that a recall consists of putting together a coalition and working with groups to set an agenda. The goal is to have a turnout where supporters of the recall will come out to vote, while supporters of those getting recalled will not.

“One, you have to gather the signatures to get it on the ballot to initiate the recall,” said Stambough. “The second part is you actually have to win the recall election.”

According to a Feb. 6 press release, Fullerton was informed that there were enough signatures on the recall petitions to qualify for the ballot. The signatures will be confirmed Feb. 21 during the city council meeting.

Williams said in a statement that Fullerton has paid almost $10,000 to validate the signatures for the recall election. Fullerton’s final cost will depend on how the council decides to proceed.

“If the council decides to hold a stand-alone special election, the cost will be between $269,000 and $301,000,” Williams said in a press release. “If they choose to consolidate with the June primary then the cost will be between $129,000 and $160,000.”

According to Stambough, a recall campaign needs both volunteers and money. Volunteers need to help promote the recall election and contribute to other campaign necessities. Stambough said a lack of money could make a campaign more difficult and less successful.

“It’s good to have some sort of political entrepreneur who will assume the financial costs,” Stambough said.

Business major Christine Sanchez, 19, said residents should be allowed to recall those in political positions, and residents should be able to choose who is in charge of their city and how their city is being run.

“The policemen get charged, but the mayor is in charge of the policemen, so I think they should be at fault,” said Sanchez.