Recall bid against two Fairfax town officials qualifies for ballot, election date to be set

Voters in Fairfax, Marin County, will decide whether to recall Mayor Lisel Blash and Vice Mayor Stephanie Hellman after petitions successfully gathered enough signatures. The Marin County Department of Elections verified 1,552 signatures for Blash and 1,569 for Hellman, surpassing the threshold of 1,479 required. Proponents accuse the officials of failing to address homelessness and mismanaging the budget, while Blash and Hellman argue that the recall effort reflects a rise in misinformation. They assert that the recall won't resolve ongoing issues, such as state housing mandates or the federal lawsuit regarding the homeless encampment. The Town Council is required to schedule a special election within 14 days of its next meeting.

Should the recalls succeed, the council will decide how to fill the vacancies, either through special elections or appointments. This recall effort highlights local dissatisfaction with current leadership and policies, particularly regarding development and housing. The outcome will significantly impact Fairfax's political landscape.