Alameda County taxpayers group settles lawsuit with Oakland over 2022 mayoral election

Oakland settled a lawsuit with the Alameda County Taxpayers’ Association for $207,812, addressing allegations of election rule violations during the 2022 mayoral election. The City Council approved the settlement, which includes funding for attorney fees and commitments to improve records retention and election procedures. Attorney Marleen Sacks expressed satisfaction with the outcome, despite the court dismissing major demands, including the invalidation of the election results. The lawsuit stemmed from miscommunication by the city clerk regarding nomination deadlines, which caused confusion among candidates. Sacks alleged that three candidates, including Sheng Thao, missed the deadline due to the clerk's erroneous instructions.

While Oakland acknowledged mistakes, it asserted that the election's integrity was not compromised. Deputy City Attorney Luke Edwards stated that accepting late paperwork did not negatively impact voters' rights. The city plans to implement procedural improvements to prevent future issues.