Voters begin to cast ballots in Oxnard special recall election

Voters in Oxnard are started to turn in ballots for a city recall election.

The effort started after the city council voted to increase sewer fees and because of it, thousands want Mayor Tim Flynn and four council members out of office.

In November, resident Aaron Starr gathered enough signatures to initiate a recall.

Mayor Flynn says the increase is needed to prevent failure of the city’s wastewater facility.

Out of 80,000 registered voters in Oxnard, 3,000 have already cast ballots, according to the city clerk’s office.

“Some of the citizens feel like their voices have not been heard,” said voter, Randy Juengst.

California State University, Channel Islands professor, Tim Allison says this election will be decided on two things:

“The mood of the electorate and the turnout,” said Allison. “How many people will actually go to the polls, because this is the only thing on the ballot and are they upset. Are they upset with what is going on in Oxnard and how will they vote based on being upset?”

The recall election is costing the city close to a half a million dollars The deadline to request a vote by mail ballot is April 24.