Recall Supporters Sue Secretary of State

Republican activists trying to recall Democratic Governor Davis have sued the secretary of state and three counties over an interpretation of election law they believe is slowing down signature counting.

The “Recall Gray Davis Committee” filed suit in the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento against Secretary of State Kevin Shelley and Sacramento, Solano and Tehama counties.

Recall backers believe the state´s largely untested recall law requires county clerks to maintain a continuous count of valid signatures.

Shelley, however, indicated in a June 30 memo to counties that signatures received during one 30-day reporting period did not have to be validated until the next period, potentially delaying the process.

A spokesman for Shelley said his office had not yet reviewed the lawsuit.